Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Orthopsychiatric Association (New York, New York, 1969).

A review of studies in which signing or symbol use has been taught to autistic individuals suggests that these techniques can provide a means of communication and language development for the autistic, including mute and retarded children. (RH)

A model which describes the major decisions a teacher makes during instructional planning is discussed. The theory presented is derived from human learning research that addresses itself to individual differences. (RM)

Examined direct and indirect coping styles of school-age mothers (N=61) and counselors (N=28) working with school-age mothers. Analysis revealed school-age mothers preferred indirect coping strategies (e.g., avoidance), whereas counselors perceived the direct coping strategies of assertion, negotiation, and demanding as more helpful. (WAS)

Investigated the relationship of shyness in children (N=103) to the constricted flexible dimension of cognitive control. Findings showed a significant difference in performance of the shy and nonshy group on the Stroop Color-Word Test. The shy group was less effective in maintaining performance in the presence of interfering stimuli. (JAC)

Studied the risk-taking behavior (i.e., smoking, intemperate drinking, and failure to fasten seat belts) of 4,539 Canadian adolescents. Results showed adolescents who lived in intact families engaged in less health-risk behavior than adolescents from separated or divorced families. Results from widowed families were mixed. (JAC)

Explored the relationship between psychological differentiation and locus of control among compulsive adolescent substance abusers (N=14) in a therapeutic community and their parents (N=27). Concluded that compulsive adolescent substance abusers are psychologically undifferentiated, and involved in a pseudo-individuated relationship with their…

Benefits can be gained through the introduction of principles of analysis from a moral perspective. Students should be encouraged to develop modes of moral reasoning and conduct through group discussion, values clarification, and individual expression. (CJ)

Developmental differences in reasoning ability and item processing demands are analyzed in a study of cognitive determinants of number analogy performance in two IQ levels of elementary school children and college students. The amount of solution-related information in working memory was the crucial processing demand. Process differentiations of…

Compared the mathematics attitudes of ninth grade girls of similar intellect who subsequently took 1 to 4 years of college preparatory math in 1975 and 1978 (N=84). Math enrollment groups differed significantly. From Grade 9 to 12, scores on the Attitude toward Success in Math Scale became significantly more positive. (Author/JAC)

Current scoring procedures depend on unrealistic assumptions about subjects' performance on the rod-and-frame test. A procedure is presented which corrects for constant error, is sensitive to response strategy and consistency, and examines qualitative and quantitative aspects of performance and individual differences in laterality bias as defined…

Discusses factors that deter counselors in responding to wife abuse. Characteristics of the abused wife are outlined. Strategies used in helping abused women are discussed, including support groups, feminist-oriented counseling, and exploring the possibility of ending the relationship. (Author/JAC)

Questions are raised about the difficulty of defining normal and atypical sexual behavior. Variations from normalcy that students, parents, and educators are most likely to encounter are discussed. The importance of dealing with variations in ways that are best for the individual and the group is emphasized. (PP)

A test was given to 322 secondary students to develop a profile of mathematical ability based on four components: computation, pattern recognition, logical reasoning, and symbolic manipulation. These profiles were compared to mathematics test scores; the results verified hypotheses about individual differences in mental processes and knowledge…

While only minor differences in behavioral organization and efficiency were found between males and females, girls with lower neurological status showed more signs of lack of motor inhibition. No effect was found for time-pressure for groups with a different neurological status. (MP)