In this introductory article, the main features of positive behavior support are described, including a prevention-focused continuum of support, proactive instructional approaches to teaching and improving social behaviors, conceptually sound and empirically validated practices, systems change to support effective practices, and data-based…

Reports survey results from 2,234 Montana students on drinking prevalence, age at first drink, drinking consequences, nondrinkers' reasons for abstinence, acquaintance with teenage alcoholics, friends' drinking behavior, and drinking and driving. Finds prevalence of alcohol use among Indians significantly higher than that of non-Indians. Discusses…

The effects of social skill training on social behavior was assessed, using a structured learning model with 3 children with behavioral disorders, ages 7-14. Results showed an increase in frequency for most skill areas, an inverse relationship across negative behaviors, maintenance over time, and moderate levels of generalization to nontreatment…

Examines sex roles among five Native American groups: the Montagnais-Naskapis of eastern Labrador, Navajos, Eskimos, Iroquois, and Plains Indians. Discusses the economic and social influences on gender roles in these cultures, and the effects of postcolonial historical forces. Contains 49 references. (SV)

Three experiments, involving five students (aged 13-20) with profound, multiple handicaps, showed that the students could effectively use microswitches to demonstrate toy preferences, to indicate preferences for social attention, and to make specific requests of educational staff in school and community settings. (Author/JDD)

Findings suggest a certain amount of discordance in teacher and peer perceptions of children's likability, and an association of discordance with differential perceptions of children's social behaviors. A teacher preference measure used in combination with sociometric measures may provide more reliable assessment of social adjustment than peer…

A study of 152 teacher preparation students, at three different training levels, found that students considered social defiance behaviors (destructiveness, aggression, disobedience) by pupils less tolerable, more controllable by the child, more costly, and more likely to be managed with restrictive behavior than social immaturity behavior…

Research with young Caucasian children found that, in response to unfamiliar situations, about 15 percent were consistently shy or inhibited, while another 15 percent were consistently sociable or uninhibited, and that these traits persisted through age eight. Both physiological and environmental factors were found to influence these temperamental…

Reports on a study of the relationships between assertiveness and cooperativeness dimensions of conflict styles among 202 graduate business students. Finds that preferences for assertiveness are reflected in both strategic and tactical use of behaviors. Also finds cooperativeness is associated with last-choice behaviors. (CFR)

This study analyzed complimenting behavior in French between French native speakers and American advanced French learners in seven dinner party conversations. Data are found to provide a rich source of lessons in politeness for both sociolinguistic and pedagogic descriptions of French speech acts. (Author/MSE)

Explored the role of relationship orientations, gender-related characteristics, and perceptions of friendship quality during preadolescence and adolescence. Results indicated that grade and sex differences are evident in the early adolescent years and are linked to perceptions of friendship quality. Preliminary evidence showed that relationship…

Attempted to identify behavioral precursors of conflict outcomes and to isolate unique characteristics of important conflicts. Results suggest that conflict components were interrelated. Resolutions were associated with outcomes and affective intensity, and affective intensity was linked to lessons learned. Apparently, the salience of an…

Considers claims from sex-comparative research that sex-related differences are small, unusually unstable across studies, very often artifactual, and inconsistent with the content of gender stereotypes. The article contends that feminism created a political climate that has led to research that inaccurately minimizes psychological gender…

Observed kindergartners and first graders playing in dyads. Children who were frequent pretenders had more predictable behavior pathways to and fewer exits from social pretend play (BSP) than children who were infrequent pretenders. Children's social interaction increased in complexity sooner after the onset of BSP than of nonpretend social…

This study, with 367 sixth grade pupils, found that pupils with negative realistic self-concept were more susceptible to behavior problems and were less likely to be popular working partners than were pupils with positive realistic self-concept. (Author/DB)