Considers the potential value of two bodies of thought arising from work on animals in connection with rehabilitating abnormal behavior. One deals with the processes of catch-up and self-regulation, the other with optional periods of learning in development. (MP)

Testimony shows that in schools divided into equal teams under programs properly administered the pupil promptly finds something outside himself to be loyal to and to work for--all prizes and trophies go to the House. Older members coach younger so younger look to older for leadership--a neglected mechanism for perpetuating civilization.…

Looks at the contributions of other disciplines to the field of music learning. Describes the highlights of the Eastman Symposium for Musical Development and Cognition, and makes suggestions for interdisciplinary series of lectures and symposiums. (GG)

Two studies found infants' scores on the Range of State Cluster of the Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale with Kansas Supplements to correlate significantly with visual discrimination performance at three months of age. The correlation with behavioral state organization contradicted the prediction that orientation scores would predict visual…

Studied 49 3 and 4 year olds in an examination of the effect of type of reward agent on children's discounting. Findings indicated that the combination of a negative valence and a particular social role accounted for the discounting of intrinsic interest. This suggests that social knowledge guides the application of the discounting schema. (SH)

Suggests that modern civilization isolates teens from real life and creates constraints that can result in psychosocial disorders. Explains that conflict in adolescence is caused by a mismatch between genetically programmed desires and culturally programmed opportunities. Outlines remedial actions that are necessary to make teenagers' lives…

Over the past 5 years the scientific study of adolescence has continued to grow in volume and sophistication. Drawing on recent articles published in the "Journal of Research on Adolescence", I take this opportunity to comment on some common understandings about the nature of adolescent development and behavior, recurrent tensions in the research,…

A growing body of evidence indicates that for some children, early incidences of challenging behaviors are predictors of later difficulties. These incidences of challenging behaviors may predict mental health issues, social adjustment issues and/or increased challenging behaviors that will impede school success and impact transition to adult life…

Gilbert Gottlieb's formative role in establishing a science of experimental behavioral embryology is described. His experimental program on the development of species identification served as a model for developmental psychobiologists seeking alternatives to the nature-nurture dichotomies prevalent in the 20th century. Two of the major concepts…

There is a great need to identify specific instructional methods that effectively promote positive skill development in young children with developmental disabilities. One method that has received strong empirical support with children with autism is Discrete Trial Teaching (DTT); however, the effectiveness of DTT has not been extensively…

Examines five basic questions: How is obedience behavior learned? What are the differences between rational and irrational obedience? What has research taught about the dynamics of obedience behavior? How can rational obedience be encouraged? What are the implications for teachers and parents? (Author/IRT)

Reports on a language evolution theory based on the factors (1) the survival value of speech, (2) associated behavior patterns, and (3) brain structure development. (CP)

Results from the study indicate that the awareness-of-rationalizations procedure is more effective in convincing discontented smokers of the personal relevance of the health hazards of smoking than the control procedure, which presents the same specific information to refute typical rationalizations. (Author/PC)

This paper opened a workshop session designed to demonstrate a group training process using the collegial modeling process. This process was developed within the faculty of a small high school serving a correctional facility. The program described was developed to allow teachers the option to model specific behaviors to both their colleagues and…