Uses a thematic approach to explore the therapeutic norm, the confrontation communication, and the nature of commitment in a small contemporary commune. Focuses on the behavior of prominent individuals. (MS)

The regular classroom behaviors of learning disabled and average fourth- and fifth-grade males were observed. A multiple regression analysis revealed 11 behaviors, accounting for 71 percent of the variance. Only the teacher behaviors and the combination of child and teacher behaviors produced significant results. (Author/CL)

Behavior rating scale data on the adjustment problems of 146 behaviorally disordered elementary school boys were factor-analyzed. Five factors of adjustment problems were identified: Aggression-Disruption, Social Incompetence, Social Maladjustment, Attention Disorder, and Anxiety-Inferiority. The relation of these five factors to those identified…

Achievement behavior is defined as behavior directed at demonstrating high ability. Ability is conceived as relative to one's own past performance, or relative to that of others. Conditions under which these conceptions of ability function as individual's goals and the nature of subjective experience in each case are specified. (Author/BW)

Rates of stereotypic behaviors in six severely/profoundly retarded children (eight to 15 years old) were observed during varying presentations of auditory beats produced by a metronome. Visual and statistical analysis of research results suggested a significant reaction to stimulus presentation. However, additional data following…

A sensory extinction procedure (white noise programed through earphones) substantially reduced the stereotypic vocalization of two autistic children (9 years old) but had little practical effect on the clapping and object-dropping responses. (Author/CL)

Over 1,000 hours of observation were recorded by 18 production supervisors, 18 mentally retarded workers, and 18 employers through naturalistic observation, self-reports, and structured interviews, respectively. Distinct problematic social situations (N=355) were identified and problematic social behavior. (Author/CL)

Examined the differential validity of biographical subgroups in terms of postcollege experience using Owens' Developmental-Integrative Model. College students (N=1,428) were statistically grouped into biodata subgroups. Seven years later, 484 subjects were assessed on postcollege behavior. Significant differences were found between the biodata…

Examination of on-task behavior and academic performance of eight behavior problem second and third graders revealed that an all-positive approach relying primarily on praise was not effective. Ss' rates of on-task behavior were high and stable when an individualized reward system was used, however. (CL)

The study investigated the usefulness of behavior engagement (time spent in appropriate environmental interaction) as an outcome measure for discerning the efficacy of intervention efforts with preschool retarded, handicapped, at-risk, and nonhandicapped children participating in two different types of programs (traditional and nontraditional).…

Behavioral changes among seven adolescents with severe handicaps after moving to more normalized environments, were compared with changes among matched Ss remaining in an institution. After six months, experimental Ss made significantly greater gains in group maintenance and in the nongoal-oriented behavior subcategory of sitting. Greater change…

No differential effects were revealed between minimal and relatively lengthy intervals in simulated and in vivo training of two students (8 and 13 years old) with severe handicaps. Performance in community fast food restaurants was measured. (CL)

Determined whether spouses in nondistressed marriages show greater equity and reciprocity of exchange and a greater degree of congruence than spouses experiencing marital distress by examining interactive patterns of self-disclosing behavior using the Self-Disclosure Coding System. Within-couple reciprocity patterns revealed highly similar…

Findings from a review of recent empirical studies on autism in the areas of behavioral characteristics (stimulus overselectivity, echolalia, imitation) and treatment interventions (social language development, stereotypic behavior, instructional design) are presented. (Author/CL)

Reports on a poll assessing the status of teenagers in the United States, including such findings as the fact that 22 percent of teenagers live in poverty and that more than one million teenagers become pregnant each year. (DF)