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)

Comments on G. Zivin's model of expressive behavior development, presenting support for (1) affect-induced and (2) spontaneously generated emotion and expressive behavior. Argues that these phenomena are mediated by sensorimotor and sensory-perceptual processes. (HOD)

Examined relation of emotional regulation strategies to angry affect during a frustration task in a sample of low-income boys. Found that shifting attention away from sources of frustration and seeking information about situation constraints were associated with decreased anger, and secure attachment and positive maternal control correlated with…

Examined the effects of prenatal drug exposure on adopted children's behavior, temperament, health, and school adjustment by comparing the experiences of 3 cohorts of children: (1) 320 drug-exposed children; (2) 456 children who were not drug exposed; and (3) 620 children whose drug exposure was unknown. Two years after placement no significant…

Mothers were interviewed periodically over the first six years of their same-sex twins' lives and were asked to contrast them on specific behaviors. Intrapair contrasts were moderately stable across age spans for as long as 18 through 36 months. Genotypic similarity was apparently associated with intrapair similarity in emotionality and…

The need for adults to try to understand the emotional motivations behind children's lies is discussed. It is suggested that lies handled in an understanding way may provide the basis for a character-enhancing experience. (HS)

Discusses the role of a study of atypical patterns of attachment behavior for the understanding of attachment theory, parenting, and child socioemotional development. Notes that research on atypical attachments suggest that the developmental integration of biological, psychological, and behavioral responses is more profoundly dependent on social-…

Explores current theories of emotional development in order to identify the assumptions that could explain the strong antagonism toward early nonbasic emotions. Draws on the contrasting and polarity of viewpoints to examine the logical implications of these viewpoints for the very possibility of early nonbasic emotions and their reciprocal…

The article discusses bibliotherapy as a classroom method to help meet personal, social, and emotional needs of learning disabled (LD) adolescents. (PHR)

Investigates a proposed four-stage developmental sequence that describes how children explain changes in sad and angry feelings and how their ability to understand is related to their theories of how feelings change. (HOD)

Emotional skills are an important prerequisite to academic success and to peer relationships. Noting that emotional competence can be taught and internalized by students, and that middle school students are at a developmental crossroads at which such learning might be critical, this videotape and teaching guide comprise a program for helping…

Clinicians and researchers are beginning to acknowledge the importance of integrating a developmental perspective into the understanding of clinical disorders. Major gaps still exist between basic research on attachment processes and clinical issues regarding mental disorders. Reflecting growth in this direction, National Institute of Mental…

Assessed mother-infant face-to-face play and infant difficult temperament at 3 and 9 months; assessed self-control, verbal IQ, and maternal warm discipline at 2 years. Found that maternal synchrony with infant affect at 3 months and mutual synchrony at 9 months were related to self-control at 2 years when temperament, IQ, and maternal style were…

Examines the capability and motivation of 18- and 24-month-old infants to share, help, comfort, and cooperate with their older siblings; the frequency of such prosocial behavior by both siblings; and the children's response to sibling distress. The relationship between prosocial and conflict behavior was also studied. (HOD)

Studied mothers' behavior toward their infants with disorganized (type D) attachment strategies. Found that mothers whose infants are classified disorganized exhibit an elevated level of atypical maternal behaviors in the Strange Situation test. Mothers of type D Forced Insecure infants showed more negative-intrusive behaviors and role confusion…