This study attempted to refine the assessment of the effectance of four-year-old children through observation of their play. Two scales were developed; the first scale defined organization, involvement, and interpersonal responsiveness in play while the second operationally defined psychosexual content of play. The results confirmed the validity…

This study evaluated the Five P's (Parent/Professional Preschool Performance Profile) observational scale through which preschool teachers and parents evaluate the behavior of disabled or nondisabled children in natural settings while the children interact with familiar adults over prolonged periods of time. Developmental skills and interfering…

The System for the Classroom Observation of Teaching Strategies (SCOTS) is described. The schedule requires a higher level of inference by the observer than many researchers may find acceptable. The paper argues that inference can be controlled within acceptable limits and that issues of objectivity and subjectivity are very complex. The SCOTS…

The relationship between the Scales of Independent Behavior (SIB) and the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale (VABS) was investigated, with 53 children as subjects. Specifically, the study sought to examine the convergent and discriminant validities of the long forms of the SIB and the VABS and to ascertain the accuracy of classification of…

Techniques are proposed for informally assessing oral communication skills in learning disabled adolescents. A feedback sheet uses direct observation by the teacher while the self-rating scale uses an indirect form of observation by the student. Theoretical premises of the two measures are noted. The Communication Feedback Sheet is designed to…

The 3 studies described in this paper focused on the image of the child in television advertising directed toward children between the ages of 2 and 11. Using an analysis code containing 16 operationally-defined categories, the first study analyzed the behaviors of children depicted in 37 commercials for toys, food, and clothing from Saturday…

One of the most persistent problems in the use of projective techniques is the need to develop objective, reliable and valid scoring systems. The sample consisted of 100 college students enrolled in an introductory psychology course. Ss were administered the DAPIR along with an extensive biographical questionnaire. Additionally, Ss were rated by…

Male and female subjects evaluated a male after seeing a videotape of him with his girlfriend. The attractiveness and intelligence of the girlfriend was varied. A multivariate analysis of variance on 10 dependent measures showed the male to be evaluated more favorably when his partner was more attractive or more intelligent. Univariate analysis…

The article presents some arguments for using behavior classification systems, defines the categories and behaviors relevant to vocational education learning situations, gives detailed instructions of coding procedures, and describes rating scales. (Author/BP)

Following an intense training program, 41 alcoholism counselor trainees were evaluated on changes in five parameters of job related functioning. Supervisor ratings indicated positive changes in trainee's clinical competence, utilization in alcoholism work, personal involvement in alcoholism work, degree of assigned responsibilities, and overall…

The validity of a behavioral rating scale for identifying gifted and creative students was investigated for three ethnic groups by socioeconomic status. These groups were mid to high socio-economic status (SES) Anglo, low SES Anglo, and low SES Hispanic. The Scales for Rating the Behavioral Characteristics of Superior Students (SRBCSS) was studied…

Data on 36 autistic, 30 mentally retarded (MR), and 22 normal children (23-65 months old) was collected to develop a method of objective behavioral assessment for diagnosing autism and documenting symptom changes over time. Ss were observed and rated on the Behavior Observation Scale, an instrument which contains 67 objectively defined behaviors…