The study sought to identify some of the variables controlling the severely aggressive behavior of two severely retarded children (ages 9 and 14). Experiments conducted under various conditions showed that, while aggressive behaviors sometimes serve as an escape function, the behaviors can be terminated through reduction of the causative situation…

Describes cases of adults whose early developmental years were marked by constant threat of parental abuse and who manifest, as adults, an inability to tolerate aggression or to develop close relationships. Uses Mahler's separation-individuation process framework to provide an understanding of the early foundations of these adults' problems. (SS)

Discusses the development of aggression in young children, methods for dealing with it and ways of helping children acquire more prosocial behaviors. (Author/SB)

Excessive exhibition of aggression and violence demonstrated by youth in society is discussed in light of the blaxploitation films encouraging violence and other deviant behavior. (Author)

Examined the relationship between 41 preschool children's peer competency and the exchange of reciprocal negative affect displays during physical play with parents. Found that fathers who typically responded to their children's negative affect displays with negative affect of their own had children who shared less, were more aggressive, and…

Examined mother-child interaction predictors of initial levels and changes in child aggressive and disruptive behavior at school from kindergarten to third grade in 585 mother-child dyads. Found that for boys, high coercion and nonaffection were particularly associated with the high-increasing-aggression trajectory, but for girls, high levels of…

A study utilized both Descriptive Analysis (DA) and Experimental Analysis (EA) to examine the function of aggressive and destructive behavior for a boy (age 9) with Down syndrome and moderate mental retardation. By linking the two methods, an intervention was designed that decreased the student's aggressive/destructive behavior. (Author/CR)

Describes a comprehensive prevention program designed to stop bullying in the elementary school. Discusses the program's goal: to create a safer school environment for all by fostering within the school a culture that does not tolerate acts of physical or psychological aggression. Outlines staff training and classroom intervention. (RJM)

The ability of 18 aggressive and 21 nonaggressive men with moderate mental retardation to label and discriminate facial expressions was investigated. Although aggressive participants did not have greater difficulty with emotion labeling, they did have a negative emotional bias for facial expressions that were ambiguous to them. (Author/CR)

A study of 216 undergraduate psychology students investigated the relationship of parental support to child abuse. Results indicate that less severe abusive behaviors, especially emotional abuse, may have detrimental outcomes of hostility and aggression and that supportive behaviors by both mothers and fathers may be important factors in the…

Elucidates many of the pertinent factors, symptoms and characteristics of violence in schools. Highlights the importance of a child's perspective in educational and sociological issues in which the child is a central player. Defends peer group facilitation as a vital tool for providing a forum and medium to disseminate information from a child's…

Answers to commonly asked questions about female gang members. Girls typically join gangs at age 14 to 15. If given alternatives, females will often leave gangs sooner than males. Female gang members are respected, and see themselves as strong, committed soldiers. Includes "Myths about Females in Gangs" and suggestions for additional…

A study examined the validity of the SCARE program; an anger management program developed with high school students. Adolescents (n=207) exposed to the SCARE program had significantly lower levels of anger and aggression, slightly higher anger control, and lower scores on aggressive and violent attitudes a year after exposure. (Contains…

This article describes use of "comic strip conversations," a type of social story adapted for younger students or those with limited verbal communication skills. It utilizes simple symbols, stick figures, and color to identify key elements of a social interaction. Three steps to implementing the technique are explained and illustrated with…