Purpose: Repeated duration data are frequently used in behavioral studies. Classical linear or log-linear mixed models are often inadequate to analyze such data, because they usually consist of nonnegative and skew-distributed variables. Therefore, we recommend use of a statistical methodology specific to duration data. Method: We propose a…

Previous studies have demonstrated that motor abilities allow us not only to execute our own actions and to predict their consequences, but also to predict others' actions and their consequences. But just how deeply are motor abilities implicated in action observation? If an observer is prevented from acting while witnessing others' actions, will…

Bortoloti and de Rose (2009) found evidence that the level of functional transfer is higher in equivalence classes generated by delayed matching to sample (DMTS) than in classes generated by simultaneous matching (SMTS). We attempted to replicate these findings with the Implicit Relational Assessment Procedure (IRAP). Two experimental groups…

Previous repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation and neuroimaging studies showed that Broca's area is involved in the interaction between gestures and words. However, in these studies the nature of this interaction was not fully investigated; consequently, we addressed this issue in three behavioral experiments. When compared to the…

Over the past few years, the focus group method has assumed a very important role as a method for collecting qualitative data in social and behavioural science research. This article elucidates theoretical and practical problems and prospects associated with the use of focus groups as a qualitative research method in social and behavioural science…

From leading authorities, this state-of-the-art manual presents the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM), the first comprehensive, empirically tested intervention specifically designed for toddlers and preschoolers with autism. Supported by the principles of developmental psychology and applied behavior analysis, ESDM's intensive teaching interventions…

The use of gaze shifts as social cues has various evolutionary advantages. To investigate the developmental processes of this ability, we conducted an object-choice task by using longitudinal methods with infant chimpanzees tested from 8 months old until 3 years old. The experimenter used one of six gestures towards a cup concealing food; tapping,…

Investigates the relationship between dress and personality for both males and females by matching four clothing variables and various categories of personality traits. (MH)

Six waitresses in a restaurant of a large midwestern city agreed to participate in a study of the nonverbal effects of ornamentation. The hypothesis was that diners would leave larger tips for a waitress who wore a flower in her hair than for the same waitress without a flower. During the four nights that data were collected, the waitresses…

Discusses some of the problems which have impeded research into the various aspects of nonverbal communication, and outlines some aspects of necessary research into the subject. (AN)

This experiment was designed to investigate the generality-specificity of the accuracy of both encoders and decoders across different types of nonverbal behavior. It was expected that encoders and decoders would exhibit generality in their behavior--i.e., the same level of accuracy--on the dimension of behavior content…

Examines the impact of nonverbal cues on participants' and observers' perceptions of relational messages in an experiment in which participants interacted with a confederate who systematically varied his or her communication style. Finds that nonverbal indicators of involvement and pleasantness were systematically related to relational message…

This study describes nonverbal behaviors on the part of subjects asked to give five minutes of instruction to a ten-year-old student, described as either bright or slow or not described at all in terms of IQ. (JH)

Discusses a study dealing with English, Northern Italian and Southern Italian encoders role-playing specific emotions and degrees of two dimensions of emotion, and presents evidence suggesting that for neither the English nor the Italians, do hand gestures and other bodily cues function as a major communication channel for emotion. Available from:…

Relates a follow-up study of newlywed couples nine months after marriage to determine the couple's appraisal of the most frequent causes of discord and unhappiness. (MH)