Addresses methods of assessing social validity in interventions with individuals having behavioral disorders. Discusses three areas: (1) specific behavioral goals; (2) the social appropriateness of the procedures; and (3) the social importance of the outcomes. Issues of validity and utility are also raised. The paper concludes that application of…

Explored the usefulness and validity of the transtheoretical model, examining relationships between stages and processes of change, self-efficacy, and decisional balance among Malay students attending English universities. Data were collected by a validated transtheoretical model questionnaire regarding students' exercise behavior. Results showed…

An inmate explains how liberal arts-based postsecondary education offered him the cultural foundation, critical thinking, and communication skills to change his attitude and character. (SK)

Presents the results of an experiment designed to determine the impact of a group discussion about second-hand consequences of alcohol use on college students' intentions to consume alcohol. Results reveal that intervention group participants reported intent to limit themselves to fewer drinks per drinking occasion and fewer drinks per week.…

Studied the hypothesis that students would exhibit changes in their levels of, and cognitions about, drug use throughout their university careers. Responses from a sample of 380 undergraduates (response rate, 63%) show no evidence of an increase in the percentage of undergraduates using drugs over their university careers, but there was a…

The Reality Rub is one of six Life Space Crisis Interventions. The goal is to help students reorganize and clarify distorted perceptions of an emotionally intense event. As seen in this article, teaching positive behavior begins by helping young people correct their blurred and biased views of reality. (Author)

Twenty suggestions are offered to help eliminate bullying behaviors in the school setting. Among suggestions are to include class discussions on bullying; to formulate a no-bullying class rule; provide social skill instruction; reinforce positive behaviors; report bullying; supervise potential bullying situations; provide positive ways to gain…

This article highlights how the Transtheoretical Model of Change (TMC) can be utilized to guide treatment interventions with adolescents who engage in violent behavior. Reviews treatment issues related to providing services to violent adolescents and discusses the applicability of TMC across a range of clinical and counseling settings. (Contains…

A long-term followup (from 26 to 57 months) of echolalia and correct question-answering was conducted with six mentally retarded adult subjects identified from three previously published studies. Echolalia was lower than in baseline in 80.6 percent of the followups. Issues related to the study of maintenance are discussed. (Author/DB)

Randomly assigned 1,218 smokers to cells in 4 (nicotine gum delivered ad lib, fixed regimen nicotine gum, placebo gum, no gum) x 3 (self-selected relapse prevention modules, randomly administered modules, no modules) design. Subjects receiving nicotine gum were more likely to be abstinent at 2- and 6-month followups. Fixed regimen accounted for…

Reviews research on problem behavior in adolescence. Discusses implications of this research, distinguishing between different stages in the process by which problem behavior emerges and separates "preventive" from "corrective" forms of intervention. Discusses implications for social policy. (Author/ABL)

Evaluated effects of two types of teacher-delivered encouragement on off-task behavior and academic performance for five first graders. Results indicated there was a consistent decline in off-task behavior for all participants, suggesting the treatment was effective. Found neither form of encouragement was consistently successful in improving…

A nonaversive technique was used to teach a severely handicapped woman to decrease her refusals. The technique employed precision teaching via precise daily measurement strategies, environmental analysis, and a focus on building appropriate behavior. (JDD)

The review and synthesis of the literature on self-injurious behavior examines characteristics, causes, and both psychological and behavioral management strategies. Six suggestions for educators are offered. (DB)

The study of effects of haloperidol drug therapy with 20 institutionalized mentally retarded persons found clinical changes confined to a slight reduction in stereotypic behavior and an increase in gross motor activity under the high dose condition. Subjects with high initial levels of stereotypy showed the best response to the drug. (Author/DB)