Development of cognitive competence and constructive patterns of motivation and behavior in the disadvantaged child are the topics of this paper. Five subjects are explored: (1) the potency of models, (2) social reinforcement, (3) intensive relationships, (4) group forces, and (5) superordinate goals. The first two subjects cover basic processes…

The purpose of this study was to investigate the Language Agression Hypothesis. This hypothesis suggests that measurable high language proficiency is associated with low observable aggression and low language proficiency is associated with high observable aggression. Consideration was also given to qualitative differences in aggressive behaviors…

Described is a project involving 37 severely emotionally disturbed, behavior disordered, or autistic children (4-16 years old) which focused on the provision of short term, intensive special educational class placement for children who otherwise would have been extruded from regular school programs into hospital or residential (psychiatric) school…

The Neighborhood Youth Corps (NYC) strives to assist and guide high school students from deprived socioeconomic backgrounds to better realize their educational and vocational potential. A major object of this study was to learn more about factors relevant to the educational adjustment of NYC enrollees. All the enrollees who attended counseling…

Excerpts from eight books present material on juvenile delinquency. Included are selections from the following: "Wayward Youth" by August Aichhorn, "The Gang" by Frederic M. Thrasher, "The Jack-Roller" by Clifford R. Shaw, "Street Corner Society" by William Foote Whyte, "Children Who Hate" by Fritz Redl and David Wineman, "The Addict in the…

Using a social learning approach, this study compared the effects of two experimental mini-courses on a specially constructed measure of competency of behavioral response. The two experimental groups and the control group were all black high school students. The curricula suitable for use by high school teachers utilized behavioral modification…

The authors describe the background for and explore the use of a unique apartment-like setting, complete with observational facilities, in which the parents of a hyperactive, aggressive boy were trained in the application of behavioral principles. Procedures consisted of having the entire family live in this setting for 5 consecutive days where…

Four junior high aged students (three behaviorally disordered and one learning disabled) received self-management training, without the external control of a token program. The self-evaluation procedures reduced students' off-task and disruptive behaviors in the resource room, but there was little or no spontaneous generalization to the students'…

Sociometric peer ratings, teacher ratings, and direct observation were employed in the classification of two groups of third-graders as either neglected (socially isolated) (N=12) or rejected (N=12) in their social relationships. Both groups profited significantly from social skills training compared to no changes observed in a control group. (JW)

Subgroups based on differences in Verbal IQ/Performance IQ patterns of 65 learning disabled boys (grades 3-6) were examined through peer nominations of popularity, rejection, behavior problems, and teacher ratings. Those whose Verbal and Performance IQ scales were approximately equal were most often rejected by peers and were perceived as more…

The follow-up study evaluated 37 girls and 12 boys (aged 5-19 years) who had been sexually abused an average of 2.6 years previously. Results found that, compared to control children, abused children had less confidence, fewer friends, more aggression, increased sexual awareness, and more behavior and academic problems. (Author/JDD)

The article describes how a British residential school for hearing-impaired children tackled difficult behavior and became more conscious of its ethos by employing a problem-centered methodology. Problems such as intra-school communication and students' inappropriate social behavior were the focus of a teacher workshop and resultant task groups.…

Narrative counseling is based on the premise that stories, rather than hard-nosed realities, shape our lives. By changing the stories that negatively label and define students, they are helped to open up new avenues and opportunities. In this second edition of their best-selling book, the authors present even more case studies, guidance, and…

This action research project implemented and evaluated a program for improving social development of elementary school students in order to lessen disruptive behavior in physical education class. The targeted population consisted of elementary school children in second, fourth, and fifth grades in a growing rural, middle class community. Anecdotal…

This book analyzes the MacArthur Longitudinal Twin Study, a collaborative study by leading developmental scientists and behavioral geneticists on the transition from infancy to early childhood. Part 1 of the book describes the twin method and procedures used and introduces the analytic strategies. Parts 2 through 4 present results related to…