Children of 18 months classified as secure or insecure/avoidant by means of the Ainsworth Strange Situation were observed at home and in a playgroup. Teachers and observers rated girls classified as insecure/avoidant as being more difficult to deal with and having more difficulty with peers than girls rated as securely attached. (PCB)

This commentary outlines considerations in assessing (and programing for) social validity to attain results that are valued by client audiences. It discusses the objectives and contexts of several types of social validation, procedures for conducting a social validation, and questions addressed by researchers in assessing social validity. (JDD)

It is commonly stated that almost half of all adolescents are at risk of school failure, substance abuse, delinquency, and teenage pregnancy. Recent research shows that today's American teenagers are healthier, happier, better educated, and more responsible than past teens. Ignoring these facts scatters valuable resources and dilutes efforts to…

Describes successful service club program serving adolescent boys with social, emotional, and learning problems who reside at Philadelphia's Pathway School. Considers strengths and weaknesses; power and helplessness; worthiness and worthlessness; and giving and dependency. Provides examples from programs and their participants. (NB)

Investigated the cognitive development of children with emotional and behavioral difficulties (EBDs). Found that children with EBDs showed a similar order of acquisition of conservation as normal children, and the thinking of children with EBDs was characterized by a high degree of uncertainty. (BC)

Introduces the Behavioral and Emotional Rating Scale (BERS): a Strength-Based Approach to Assessment for use in schools, mental health clinics, and social service agencies. BERS is designed so that adults can accurately and efficiently identify children's behavioral and emotional strengths, rather than their deficits, problems, and pathologies.…

Examines the relationship between cooperativeness of secondary-school students and their involvement in peer abuse, or bullying. Shows that students, both male and female, who bully others, have low cooperation scores. Also shows that victims tend to have below-average cooperation scores, most likely due to the experience of being bullied. (DSK)

Explains the use of videotape recordings to provide examples of self-modeling for the purpose of student behavior change. Reviews research on the efficacy of videotaped self-modeling (VSM), technological requirements, editing, arranging the videotaping, using self-modeling as a positive behavior support, and precautions and challenges. (DB)

Provides a lesson plan and instructional materials for a one- to two-hour training session appropriate for teachers, other professionals, and parents. The sessions aim to meet the needs of children and youth with challenging behaviors by developing social competence. (Author/MKA)

Demonstrates a method of improving first session attendance in a population of conduct-disordered and substance-abusing adolescents. Results indicate that an intensive intervention involving the youth and parent was more effective in improving session attendance than a less intensive intervention that excluded the youth's involvement. Discusses…

Provides information on the time-out research in hopes of enabling school psychologists to use, and train others to use, time-out more effectively when indicated by the data from a behavioral or functional assessment. The guide may also serve as a heuristic for those wishing to conduct research on the use of time-out in the classroom. (Author/MKA)

Samples of gifted adolescents in Louisiana (N=44) and Connecticut (N=34) were administered the Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking (TTCT), and their parents completed the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). Scores on tests were statistically unrelated, and CBCL scores were similar to national norms and represented an absence of behavior disorders.…

Research and experience has shown that allowing children and youth to feel that they are contributing members of their communities, they are less likely to exhibit rebellious or delinquent behaviors. Describes three model programs that employ the principle of generosity as a key component of interventions for troubled children and youth.…

Examines the relationship between the accuracy of academic responding and aggression for two boys with mild retardation. Aggression was highest during spelling instruction; an evaluation showed aggression was escape maintained. Changes in teaching formats resulted in increased posttest scores. Data showed that the rates of problem behavior…

Profiles two San Antonio high schools' creative discipline approaches to supplement their official policies. At one high school, staff find out what "carrot" will work for grounding their "frequent-flier" kids. This usually involves devising attendance/behavior contracts for earning driving or other privileges. The other school has an…