Studied were the responses of infants to new toys presented with either positive, negative, or neutral affective displays by mothers. Responses to stimulus toys were compared with responses to free play toys. Maternal displays influenced responses only to stimulus toys. (PCB)

Three films recommended for class use are reviewed. Five other films are noted briefly. The films deal with affective issues such as handling rejection, being bullied, and being self-conscious. (MT)

Maintains that grief and other emotional behaviors and feelings associated with the death of a child can be most effectively managed when they are acknowledged and shared. (BB)

Investigation of the effects of an in-school curriculum designed to encourage children's awareness of and attention to television's prosocial portrayals revealed that the curriculum was successful in helping children to isolate and identify commercial television's prosocial fare. (Author/CB)

Argues that depression may be viewed as one of several normal affective developments of pregnancy rooted in some of the physiological events of gestation and that identification of depression during pregnancy may be difficult (but nonetheless important) because the symptoms of pregnancy and depression are confounded. (Author/ABB)

This study investigated the emotions involved in the writing process by analyzing a short inventory completed by 87 novice writers before and after self-sponsored and required writing exercises. Results are presented. (Author/MT)

Presents results of a cross-validational test of previous findings that men and women express depression differently. Reports that when depressed, females are more prone to somatic symptoms, self-deprecating statements, and less selectiveness than males in seeking out others. Qualifies findings, however, by posting a possible gap between reported…

Indicates that the felt literacy needs of prisoners and affective characteristics should be of primary concern in literacy programs. Contends that qualitative methods such as interviews are more effective means of needs assessment than standardized tests. (SK)

Investigated seasonal trends in the birth patterns of neurotics (N=989), alcoholics (N=2,870), affective disorders (N=320) and personality disorders (N=713) both before and after controlling for age prevalence. Results did not support the view that birth rates for nonschizophrenic psychiatric disorders are higher in some seasons than in others.…

Three children with severe and multiple disabilities (8-25 months old) were provided contingent learning experiences via electromechanical apparatus. Results indicated that all three children increased the frequency of the target behavior. The data are equivocal as to whether or not children showed an awareness of the response-contingent feedback.…

A summary of research on affective and cognitive development in young children with Down syndrome notes that affect and cognition seem as closely interrelated in Down syndrome as in nonretarded children. Overall findings indicate that from birth to two, children with Down syndrome experience significant delays in development of both affective and…

Examined the category structure of joy and shame emotions by having college students (N=40) judge slides of human faces. Results supported the family resemblance-prototype process in that the higher the typicality, the shorter the reaction time and showed that the more intense (typical) expressions were recognized more accurately. (LLL)

Presented 30 photographs of people posing in different emotions to 15 college students, who predicted how often they would see or perform each expression. Results showed happiness was rated the best, strongest, and most probable expression. Neutral expressions were found to vary in similar ways with other affective expressions. (JAC)

Conducted a survey to determine how aware drinkers (N=64) are of the situational determinants of alcohol. Findings showed that social drinkers were well aware of the effects of different settings on the quantity consumed and the effects experienced. (Author/LLL)

Outlines a method for improving one's rationality that can be understood and carried out by each individual, with a minimum of professional guidance. (Author/IRT)