Knowledge of prerequisite dependencies is crucial to several aspects of learning, from the organization of learning content to the selection of personalized remediation or enrichment for each learner. As the amount of content is scaled up, however, it becomes increasingly difficult to manually specify all of the prerequisites among the different…

This paper examines the biophilia hypothesis put forth by E. O. Wilson, which asserts the existence of a fundamental, genetically-based human need and propensity to affiliate with other living organisms and lifelike processes. It reviews research by Wilson and others that supports the biophilia hypothesis, and examines some of the issues and…

This study demonstrates the systems approach to scientific and technical information behavior research through the application of a multidimensional model to data concerning the effects of higher level variables on professional job types. The model was first developed in a study examining organizational barriers to the flow of STI in…

Mass persuasion involves a message production process which significantly alters or reinforces an attitude, belief, or action of the members of a large, heterogeneous audience. A synthetic communication model for mass persuasion has been constructed which incorporates aspects of several models created to describe the process of effective…

This paper examines the influence of Norman Geschwind's model of connectionism, in which complex functions are built up by connecting primary areas in the brain, and notes his studies of the effects of disconnection on dyslexic individuals. Connectionist-based behavioral studies are reviewed, focusing on intracortical association connections and…

Inferences made in integrative research reviews are as important to the validity of behavioral science knowledge as are those in primary research. The research review is conceptualized as a scientific inquiry involving five stages paralleling those of primary research. Problem formulation is the stage when variables are defined conceptually and…

Third stream evaluation, the fusing of the ecological perspective with experimental or quasi-experimental evaluation design, is described. The ecological perspective necessitates that the conceptualization and analysis of a setting and the design of the study emphasize the interdependent relations among organisms, behavior and environment in…

The purpose of this paper is to provide information about the social difficulties of students with Autism. A review of Erikson's Theory supports why developing social skills is important. No Child Left Behind evidence-based practices are suggested to assist these students. A literature review was conducted on these topics using key words to…

This paper introduces a rationale and method for constructing behavioral analytic measures of training program effectiveness that can be adopted by directors of training in diverse settings. The model includes derivation of problematic, on-the-job situations and effective responses from a target sample of trainees and builds an evaluation measure…

Numerous forms and meanings of validity have been developed to provide researchers with the opportunity to assess the many potential sources of ambiguity that exist in any research finding. A Validity Network Schema (VNS) developed by Brinberg & McGrath (1982) is extended and elaborated in order to describe the components of the research…

The general aim of this study was to provide a research strategy for members of interdisciplinary teams in exploring the interrelationship between group and individual in the therapy group process. The special focus of the study was to provide a design model that could synthesize a wide variety of data gained from group interaction, individual…

A framework for family impact analysis, developed at the Minnesota Family Study Center as part of the NIMH training program for family impact analysis, is presented. The four sections of the accompanying training manual are described as: (1) a set of questions which orient the reader to what family impact analysis is, its particular timeliness,…

This study tests the basic assumptions underlying Fishbein's Model of Attitudes by correlating an individual's selective exposure to types of television programs (situation comedies, family drama, and action/adventure) with the attitudinal similarity between individual attitudes and attitudes characterized on the programs. Twenty-three college…

An important area for communication researchers has been the relationship between persuasive messages and their impact on attitudes, beliefs, and behavior. A model is presented to clarify the relationship between persuasive messages and attitudes. In an effort to establish the validity of the model, six hypotheses are set forth concerning the…

A reanalysis of recent clinical research suggests that three different neural processes or brain mechanisms may underlie the regulation of emotion: (1) contralateral disinhibition of cortical centers; (2) ipsilateral disinhibition of subcortical centers; and (3) excitation of specific subcortical or neocortical centers. (MDM)