Dimensional continuity was examined in adolescents in grades 7, 9, and 11. Demonstrated changes in dimensional configurations raise challenging issues for longitudinal study practices that assume uniform interpretability of the same scales at differing developmental stages. (ST)

Over the past 5 years the scientific study of adolescence has continued to grow in volume and sophistication. Drawing on recent articles published in the "Journal of Research on Adolescence", I take this opportunity to comment on some common understandings about the nature of adolescent development and behavior, recurrent tensions in the research,…

Retrospective accounts of 42 married couples were used to construct a developmental model of courtship. A basic three-stage pattern was found to characterize the majority of relationships from initial acquaintance to marriage: Casual Dating, Serious Dating and Engagement. Changes in the relationships were measured through the use of a standardized…

The cognition/conduct problem is outlined as it arises in cognitive-developmental moral theory. A model of the connection between stage of moral reasoning and behavior is developed, involving two separate steps (from reasoning to judgments and from judgments to behavior).(Author/RH)

Notes advantages of using dynamic models to understand cognitive functioning: (1) they are specifically intended to represent changes that systems undergo as they evolve; (2) they can capture change in a continuous fashion; (3) they can account for development of behavior that appears orderly at times and disorderly at others, and (4) chaotic…

A taxonomy of stages in the development of values concepts is presented and illustrated. In addition, the role of direct and social feedback in the evolution of an individual's values is examined. Level I of the taxonomy, Developing Behavior Patterns, is a pre-values stage experienced in early childhood. At this stage, the infant learns what he…

Defines life-span developmental psychology as the study of constancy and change in behavior throughout the life course. Advances metatheoretical view regarding development. Stresses focus on the dynamic and continuous interplay between growth (gain) and decline (loss). Examines structural contextual factors and study of range of plasticity in…

Three examples of children (five to nine years old) with acting-out behaviors are cited to illustrate the author's contention that such behavior is indicative of specific developmental levels of social and emotional functioning. The need for intervention appropriate to the developmental level is asserted. (CL)

Examines contributions made by both Piaget and Kohlberg to understanding the process and pattern of moral development. Kohlberg's theory is based on Piaget's study of cognitive development that provided an understanding of the development process and the factors that cause the development of moral reasoning. Some implications for teachers are…

Gilbert Gottlieb's formative role in establishing a science of experimental behavioral embryology is described. His experimental program on the development of species identification served as a model for developmental psychobiologists seeking alternatives to the nature-nurture dichotomies prevalent in the 20th century. Two of the major concepts…

Evaluates the degree to which the social-referencing perspective provides a valid explanation of some features of infant behavior. (MP)

Studied the ontogeny of walking by prelocomotor infants. Results support a dynamic systems view of development and the view that upright locomotion emerges from the self-organization of multiple cooperating elements rather than as a result of a preexisting neural code. (Author/GR)

Presents a developmental study of changes in infant attachment behaviors. Five groups of female infants, 8, 11, 14, 19, and 24 months of age, were observed during varying types of separation experiences. Changes in proximity behaviors and contact behaviors were analyzed. (BD)

Boys may follow various developmental pathways that lead to increasingly disruptive and delinquent behavior. To most parents, teachers, youth workers, mental health professionals, and juvenile justice practitioners, the development of disruptive and delinquent behavior in boys may appear erratic and unpredictable. This bulletin summarizes…

Investigation of the relationship between maternal employment and behaviors and attitudes of preadolescents and adolescents indicated significant differences only for preadolescents regarding sex role ideology. Results suggest full-time maternal employment has few effects on behaviors and attitudes of school-age children from intact families.…