In a study involving 101 severely developmentally disabled children (1-16 years old), stereotyped behaviors without objects was positively correlated with self-manipulation and chronological age and was negatively correlated with complex object manipulation, developmental age, developmental quotient, and teacher attention. Stereotyped behavior…

Script Analysis, Domain Analysis, Activity Patterns, and Behavior Setting Analysis are reviewed as approaches to the study of person-environment relationships. (DF)

Residential staff rated common consequences of stereotypic or self-injurious behaviors of 60 severely and profoundly retarded residents. Ratings indicated that only 7 percent of stereotypic behavior was followed by positive consequences or escape/avoidance from demands, while 30 percent was followed by staff attention and 38 percent led to escape…

Analysis of free play interaction between 40 mothers and their mentally retarded, retarded cerebral palsied, and nonretarded infants revealed that mothers of both groups of developmentally disabled (DD) infants were more directive than mothers of nonretarded infants. DD infants were more compliant and demonstrated lower levels of behavior and less…

Patterns of drug use for 847 adolescents from four different ethnic backgrounds (Blacks, Asians, Whites, and Hispanics) were examined over a five-year period. In addition to nonusers, only one large single substance use group emerged, alcohol users. Racial differences are discussed. Comparing patterns of substance use at three points in time,…

Interviews with parents of 31 handicapped infants revealed that the child's responsiveness, temperament, repetitive behavior patterns, and demands for additional/unusual caregiving were related to stress reported by mothers. Child's rate of progress was not related. Single mothers reported more stress than mothers in two-parent homes. (Author/CL)

Changes in imitative behavior of two preschool children with highly oppositional behaviors were examined as a function of adult models' use of differential attention and time-out. Results showed that the children's oppositional behavior varied predictably with the presence and absence of differential attention and time-out. (Author/CL)

Quantifies behavioral periodicities or cycles during face-to-face interaction between three- and five-month-old term and preterm infants and their mothers. Compares the temporal organization of social interaction between term and preterm infants. Spectral and cross-spectral techniques showed the existence of periodicities. Differences were found…

Assessed sexual maturation and sociosexual behaviors in 101 nine- to 11-year-old low and middle income Black children. Data confirmed that girls were more advanced in sexual maturation than boys. Results of a self-report behavior scale indicated sexual behavior was related to physical development in boys but not girls. (JAC)

Discusses the diagnosis of transsexual in terms of its similarities with adolescence. In considering the extreme example of the transsexual, normal adolescent development emerges as more purposive and integrative in the establishment of gender identity. (JAC)

Surveyed fraternity members from 41 colleges to examine drinking patterns among college students. Results showed 90 percent of college students reported drinking at social gatherings. Beer was the most popular beverage and grain alcohol the least popular. (JAC)

The author contends that falling barometric pressure hampers the flow of blood throughout the nervous system, thus encouraging maladaptive behavior in some neurologically impaired children. Among guidelines offered are to create a calm environment and to check the barometer frequently during the day. (CL)

Presents a method of discourse analysis applied to the discrimination of genuine from simulated suicide notes used in previous studies. Reported significant differences among language measures as well as the results of a multiple discriminant analysis using the discourse analysis. A language profile of the suicidal individual is given. (JAC)

Administered a questionnaire on expected effects of alcohol to 150 college students. Results showed that subjects expected alcohol to affect other people more than themselves for both positive and negative effects. Moderate and heavy drinkers expected as much pleasure from alcohol as they expected others to receive. (Author/LLL)

The author describes gifted children who hide their giftedness to seek social acceptance and thereby achieve invulnerability, then presents the "Gifted and Talented Personality Pyramid" model, which consists of four facets: environment, behavior, relationships, and selfhood. (MC)