Provides additional evidence on the role interpersonal communication plays in the diffusion of news about crisis events. Adds information about the rapidity of such diffusion, daily routine and first source, demographic differences and communicative behavior/personal reactions, and possible effects of research methods. (PD)

Compared film programs on family violence and alcoholism, in an alcohol rehabilitation program. Patients (N=77) were evaluated for their reactions to the two film programs. A majority of patients rated the film program on family violence very highly, indicating a need for such interventions in alcohol rehabilitation. (JAC)

Identified five types of violent criminals (N=110) using cluster analysis of Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory scores, and compared them on 24 sociological and behavioral variables. Results showed differences on 16 items including family history, drug and alcohol use, events preceding the crime, and relationship between offender and…

Hypothesized that stability of a friendly dyadic interpersonal relationship varies with similarity of perceived views of problems of lasting concern. Students (N=76) at the Indian Institute of Technology completed a three-part questionnaire about friendly relationships, Individual Problem Blank, and Problem Checklist. Results supported the…

Examined the relationship between personality traits and impairment experiences of 80 males who completed the California Psychological Inventory and an impairment scale. Results showed significant differences between the personality scores of impaired and unimpaired problem drinkers, suggesting that impairment aspects differ both in nature and…

A study of 202 physicians' ability to recognize well-established signs of suicide potential showed that certain groups predictably showed greatest recognition (e.g., psychiatrists), but that most physicians across specialties were equally knowledgeable about the signs studied. (MSE)

Explores particulars that may partially account for the remedial influence on development of interactions between infants and caregivers. Videotaped interactions between 20 prematurely born toddlers and their mothers were described in terms of dyadic joint attention to features of the environment. (Author/RH)

Effects of father absence on boys and girls who live in families headed by mothers were studied. Subjects were 40 Israeli children (ages 2.6 to 2.10 years of age) whose fathers had died before their birth. Strong differential effects were found in the responses of girls as compared with those of boys. (Author/MP)

Used conjoint measurement to describe how systems-oriented therapists predict the occurrence of suicide. Although the systems approach emphasizes the interaction between an individual and a system, all 10 clinicians were described by an additive model. (Author/JAC)

Delinquent boys (18 percent of 120) were found to be depressed when DSM III criteria for Major Depressive Disorder were utilized. Results indicated the prevalence of depression was not significantly more frequent among socialized, undersocialized, aggressive or nonaggressive subtypes. (Author)

Explores the social and environmental characteristics of Black female homicide victims and offenders. Assembled data on 661 Black female homicide victims and 119 Black female homicide offenders. Analyses indicated that Black female homicide victims and offenders exhibit low socioeconomic status and essentially similar behavior patterns. (Author)

Examined attitudes of probation officers to determine how these attitudes correlated with decisions to recommend sentences of incarceration or probation for hypothetical defendants described in six case studies. Used Fishbein's theoretical model for the prediction of behavioral intentions to examine this relationship. Implications and suggestions…

Describes instruments developed to measure inmates' (N=150) drug use, knowledge, and attitudes. A drug use inventory, a drug attitude scale, and a drug knowledge test were examined for validity. Each measurement tool was subjected to item analysis for internal consistency. Implications and suggestions are discussed concerning inmate drug…

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

Based on Fromm's proposed personality theory of the productive and nonproductive use of four character types, studied the productive facet of the four life-style orientations. Analyses of the data from surveys of life and interpersonal relations orientations supported the four orientations suggested by Fromm's theory. (RC)