Poor reciprocity is a defining feature of an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In the current study, we examined the reliability and validity of the Interactive Drawing Test (IDT), a new instrument to assess reciprocal behavior. The IDT was administered to children and adolescents with ASD (n = 131) and to a typically developing group (n = 62). The…

The practicality of three appraisal instruments was measured in terms of user preference, namely, behavioral observation scales (BOS), behavioral expectation scales (BES), and trait scales. In all instances, BOS were preferred to BES, and in all but two instances, BOS were viewed as superior to trait scales. (Author/ABB)

The purpose of this study was to develop a new measure of incidental behaviors that put college students at increased risk of legal consequences while using alcohol, the Legal Risk Behaviors while using Alcohol (LRBA) scale. Two hundred and twenty one college students who used alcohol were recruited to complete an online study about their use of…

Two five-week test-retest reliability studies of a measure of the unit of perception of ongoing behavior were conducted. In the first, 25 females and 23 males segmented a 7-minute action sequence under fine-unit or gross-unit instructional sets. Number of units marked at first viewing correlated .87 with number of units at retest. Correlations…

Investigates the short-term stability of the Adjustment Scales for Children and Adolescents for 124 randomly selected children in grades kindergarten to grade 12. Significant test-retest stability coefficients were obtained and mean differences across the retest interval did not exceed .8 raw score points. Results were similar to those obtained in…

Reports the reliability and validity of the Health Professional-Geriatric Patient Interaction Behavior Rating Code, an observational instrument that is used to quantify the interpersonal behaviors of health professionals in the care of the geriatric patient. Condensed 15 behavioral factors into 10 operationally defined behavioral categories.…

This report describes the development of a rating scale and direct observation measure to monitor the treatment of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) in the home or school setting. The study applied an accuracy-reliability paradigm to validate the newly created rating scale and observation measure. An incontrovertible index using a scripted…

Development of the Stereotyped Behavior Scale for adolescents and adults with mental retardation is described. Use with 600 individuals resulted in refinement and a 26-item scale with an internal consistency alpha of 0.88, test-retest reliability of p=0.90, and interrater reliability of p=0.76. (DB)

A Behavior rating scale, usable for parents and teachers, was devised to measure overt behavioral characteristics of children with learning disabilities. (SBH)

Analysis of data from the Behaviour Disorder Scale for 405 adults and adolescents with intellectual disability revealed that subjects exhibited a mean of 14 problem behaviors per person. Factor analysis identified two general syndromes (a conduct syndrome and an emotional syndrome), raising the possibility of dealing with sets of problem behaviors…

One approach to increasing our understanding of the rating process is to examine behavioral components of decision-making. Although observable rater behavior during appraisal is still removed from the actual contents of internal processing, these behavioral indices may provide important clues toward identifying determinants of rating success. To…

The Personal Profile System (PPS) is a psychological testing instrument that has been widely used. The construct validity of the PPS was studied through a review of the literature. This paper organizes the literature review into three broad categories: the background of the PPS; the reliability of the PPS; and the validity of the PPS. The PPS is a…

This paper discusses the advantages and disadvantages of commonly used measures of job effectiveness, concentrating on a recent development in the field, the Behaviorally Anchored Rating Scale (BARS); and proposes a new approach, the Behavior Description Index (BDI), which the author contends reduces or avoids most of the shortcomings of other…

Developed a brief behavior rating scale consisting of 28 items divided into seven categories for use in a school setting. Test validity was based upon the successful discrimination between neurologically impaired, socially maladjusted, emotionally handicapped, and normal children. (Author)

Three assessment instruments for disturbed children were developed: a 50-item behavior checklist which functioned as a screening device; a 124-item behavior rating scale which provided frequency measures on indices of the teacher's reaction and response to exhibited behaviors; and a behavioral observation form which recorded task-oriented behavior…