This essay discusses the evaluation of the relationship between the nervous system and emotion regulation, introducing vagal tone as a measurable organismic variable that contributes to individual and developmental differences in the expression and regulation of emotion. (MDM)

Three possibilities for the pathogenesis of childhood autism are considered. Little evidence exists for autism as a basic affective disorder, as proposed by R. P. Hobson, but growing evidence supports childhood autism as a basic cognitive disorder, as the author argues. The author's original theoretical perspectives are revised. (SLD)

Focuses on attachment theory's relationship to counseling process and supervision so as to heighten appreciation of attachment theory's complexity. Illustrates attachment constructs in action and discusses counseling process, concentrating on the ways attachment theory can contribute to understanding the client-counselor relationship and change…

Using an ethological framework, explores the ways in which family pets, in particular dogs and cats, provide certain components of attachment that contribute to emotional and social well-being throughout the life cycle. Implications are identified for social policies that will protect and maintain this bond for particular populations. (RJM)

Used computerized diaries to investigate relations between momentary and generalized affect reports. Thirty participants rated current mood at two-hour intervals and gave retrospective reports of daily and weekly mood. Average momentary ratings provided a closer estimate of daily mood than either peak or most recent momentary ratings. (RJM)

Describes a model of adaptable learning that takes into account the interaction between affective and cognitive variables in learning situations, introduces an instrument for measuring relevant aspects of this model, and presents initial results of the application of this instrument to (n=30) 6th-grade students. (53 references) (Author/MKR)

Presents a preliminary phenomenological investigation to obtain a better understanding of the attitudes, motivations, feelings, and beliefs associated with the use of cocaine. Highlights an important aspect of the relationship between cocaine use and earlier experiences of empowerment. (JBJ)

Younger preschoolers had significantly more difficulty than older ones in making an appearance-reality distinction between a person's apparent character, as indicated by his or her facial expression, and the person's real character, as evidenced by his or her behavior. (BB)

The relation of prosocial behavior of 53 preschoolers to different modes of vicarious emotional responses was examined. Videotapes were used to elicit empathy, whereas vicarious emotional responses and defensive behaviors were assessed by means of self-report, facial, and heart-rate indexes. (SH)

Studied age differences in children's understanding of (1) changes in emotional reactions to situations; and (2) the possibility that emotion might be controlled by situational or cognitive strategies. Children aged 4 to 15 years were more likely to suggest situational strategies than cognitive strategies for controlling emotion. (Author/GH)

Examined the possibility that relations in the family system are affected when infants begin to crawl. Parents' expressions of prohibition and anger, and their use of physical punishment, increased after infants began to crawl. (BG)

Examined relationship between affect, demographics, and health-related lifestyle among 139 public high school students. Data analyses revealed distinctive demographic and affective correlates of different health behaviors. No one variable uniformly predicted adolescents' health behaviors. Demographics and affect showed differential relationships…

Methods of using values clarification techniques to meet the affective needs of students with emotional disabilities are discussed. The theoretical background and benefits of values clarification are briefly reviewed, and suggestions are offered for implementing such a program at three levels of student skill in the valuing process. (DB)

This paper on the relationship of language impairment, social skills, and socioemotional behavior introduces the following issues: the influence of language impairment on the social interactions of children; the association between language and challenging behavior; and the relationship between language impairment, social problems, and psychiatric…

This study found that the schizophrenia subscale of the Psychopathology Instrument for Mentally Retarded Adults was a valid quantitative measure of schizophrenia if one item was removed from the scale. Comparison with a nonretarded population indicated that mentally retarded patients had less delusions and more incoherence and flat affect. They…