Tested the assumption that familial self-reports are biased by social desirability and other factors, through the use of a latent variables modeling approach that evaluated rater reliability and bias in mother, father, and child ratings of parent-child negativity. Results based on 78 families demonstrated that family member ratings contained a…

The Neurobehavioral Assessment of the Preterm Infant instrument was developed by means of pilot, exploratory, and validation studies. The validation study tested the generalizability of results for different cohorts, test versions, hospitals, and examiners. Seven stable functions were identified: motor development; scarf sign; popliteal angle;…

Evaluates validity of the Denver Developmental Screening Test used for assessing the development of preschoolers. (AJ)

Two statistical characteristics of the Matching Familiar Figures test which produce methodological problems in reflection-impulsivity research are discussed. (BRT)

A group-administerable version of Kohlberg's Moral Judgment Interview (MJI) was psychometrically evaluated. Results showed that the Sociomoral Reflection Measure has acceptable concurrent validity with the MJI as well as high levels of construct validity and reliability. (Author/MP)

The reliability and validity of the Attachment Q Sort (AQS; Waters & Deane, 1985) was tested in a series of meta-analyses on 139 studies with 13,835 children. The observer AQS security score showed convergent validity with Strange Situation procedure (SSP) security (r=31) and excellent predictive validity with sensitivity measures (r=39). Its…

A laboratory analogue of naturalistic observation was used to examine the relationship of observer drift to instructional set and experimenter status. Results indicated a highly significant decrease in observer reliability coinciding with the shift from training to data collection. (ST)

Results indicate that the test-retest stability of the DDST is quite satisfactory for a screening test. (Authors/MB)

A total of 309 children were divided into eight groups on the basis of their Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test scores. The Nowicki-Strickland Locus of Control (LOC) Scale and the Children's Psychological Conservatism Scale were administered. Findings indicate a curvilinear relationship between verbal ability and the reliability of the LOC scale. (RH)

Used computer simulations to examine effectiveness of different criteria for measuring infant visual habituation. Found that a criterion based on fitting a second-order polynomial regression function to looking-time data produced more accurate estimation of looking times and higher power for detecting novelty effects than did the traditional…

Investigated perceptions of social support of 249 children of 6-12 years. Data indicated that subjective impressions about social support can be measured with reliability and validity and that children understand and care about the quality and differentiation of support. (RJC)

Presents data showing that the MacArthur Communicative Development Inventory's (CDI) large variability, lack of stability, and insufficient ability to predict early language delay are authentic reflections of individual differences in early language development rather than measurement deficiencies. Responds to critiques regarding sociodemographic…

Data on 11 samples of 1,012 toddlers used to construct and validate the Toddler Behavior Assessment Questionnaire (TBAQ) revealed that the component of negative affectivity (anger proneness and fearfulness) were independent, and item analysis suggested that shyness and other fears were independent as well. (MDM)

A recognition measure of Kohlbergian moral reasoning, developed on the basis of a production measure, was psychometrically evaluated. Results showed that the Sociomoral Reflection Objective Measure has acceptable concurrent validity and high levels of test-retest reliability and internal consistency. (Author/CI)

Findings indicate Type A behavior was related in preschoolers to ratings of aggression and impatience, but not to intelligence. Reaction times of Type B children who worked without a time limit and an incentive were significantly longer than those of Type A children and those of Type B children who worked with a time limit and an incentive.…