Motivational influences on help-seeking behavior in mathematics were studied with 203 seventh and eighth graders. Perceived benefits and threats were important influences on avoidance of help-seeking behavior, but only benefits predicted adaptive help seeking. Social competence had an indirect effect on avoidance of help seeking. (SLD)

Examines the various coping strategies that competitive adolescent athletes use to deal with errors, penalties, and unpleasant comments from spectators. Identifies and discusses four coping strategies: avoidance, approach, task-focused, and emotion-focused. Briefly reviews the literature on coping and the results of a survey of Australian…

Summarizes the Konstanz Training Model (KTM), a German primary and secondary preventive program that increases teacher self-competence and social competence in dealing with aggressive and disruptive student behaviors. Emphasizes KTM's focus on systemic aspects, cognitive level, and behavioral level approaches. Describes KTM Compact, a short term…

Compared to classmates with low and average reading achievement, 32 intermediate-grade students with learning disabilities (LD) had lower peer acceptance, lower feelings of self-worth, fewer positive nominations, and more negative self-perceptions regarding social acceptance. Different patterns of social and behavioral functioning distinguished LD…

Compares volunteers' and paid employees' attitudes toward their jobs and supervisors. Finds that volunteers are higher in intrinsic motivation and are more satisfied with their supervisors' decision-making. Suggests that supervisors of volunteers should use participative decision-making tactics and employ compliance-gaining behavior strategies…

A program was designed to prevent school adjustment problems in primary school children by identifying at-risk children using a behavior rating scale and training them in coping and self-expression skills. A study of the program's effectiveness with 26 children found no significant differences between experimental and control groups on behavioral,…

The relationships between student affective performance and classroom physical environment, social climate, and management style were studied for 21,622 students, mostly sixth graders, in Hong Kong. Perceived quality of physical environment and class master's expert, personal, and coercive power were the strongest predictors of affective…

Two studies involving three adolescents with severe emotional disturbance/behavior disorders and learning difficulties examined effects of problem difficulty and reinforcer quality upon time allocated to two sets of arithmetic problems. Results have implications for understanding the effects of problem difficulty and reinforcer quality on behavior…

This paper discusses developments in special education classroom observational assessment. Conceptual advances include increased focus on assessment with practical value for teaching and benefits gained from merging classroom instructional factors with behavior. Methodological advances include development of ecobehavioral observation protocols and…

Reports the results of a study that examines differences in substance-related attitudes, use patterns, and related consequences among three typical college campuses in order to underscore the need for campuses to develop and market prevention/intervention programs based on the unique patterns inherent on their individual campuses. (LKS)

User-centered design of catalog records requires the study of user behaviors and cognition related to interaction with the catalog. During 3 phases of a pilot study, 103 catalog users described 386 searches; searchers generally knew the title, publication date, page numbers, and/or the author. (Author/AEF)

Deaths from meningitis-type illnesses among college students are worrying health officials. Concerns include behaviors of students that may put students at risk, risk characteristics of dormitory housing, ethical concerns about disclosing the names of infected students, and possible need for immunization programs. (MSE)

Examined the role of individual characteristics and peer influences in evoking early substance abuse in young boys. Individual characteristics, such as fighting, hyperactivity, oppositional behaviors, and likability, were found to be pivotal in the development of substance abuse--more than friends' deviance. Results suggest that prevention…

Presents data that establish the convergent and discriminant construct validity of a new behavior-rating scale for use with the early childhood-preschool population, the Preschool and Kindergarten Behavior Scales (PKBS). The scale appears to show promise as a research tool, screening device, and assessment instrument for assessing social-emotional…

The Test of Reactions and Adaptation in College (TRAC), a measure of students' personal dispositions toward learning, is presented. Results from 2 different samples of college students (n=1,081) indicate acceptable psychometric characteristics for the TRAC. The TRAC predicted college success better than high school weighted academic average did.…