A study investigated the validity of the Questions about Behavioral Function, a checklist designed to assess antecedent behavior, using a sample of 398 persons with mental retardation and self-injurious behavior, aggression, or stereotypies. The checklist was used successfully to derive clear behavioral functions across all three target behaviors.…

Examines research on television violence and links violence to specific programs commonly watched by young children. Maintains that television violence is related to aggressive behavior, lessened sensitivity to the results of violence, and increased fear. Examines public reactions to children's educational television programs. (Author/KB)

Studied the relationship between gender differences in physical aggression and selected personality and social contextual factors through self-report measures completed by 89 adolescents. Findings suggest the strength and importance of sympathy as a mitigator of physically aggressive behaviors. Contains 58 references. (SLD)

Explores aggressive-anger expression in adolescents; a three-factor model proved best. Correlations of aggressive-anger-expression styles with anger were larger than their correlations with anxiety and depression. Gender, ethnicity, and developmental effects were found. Findings suggest that adolescent aggressive-anger expression is not…

Parents of Swedish twin pairs ages 7 to 9 years and of British twin pairs ages 8 to 16 years completed the Child Behavior Checklist. Found that genetic factors influenced aggressive antisocial behavior to a greater extent than nonaggressive antisocial behavior, which was also significantly influenced by the shared environment. There was a…

Examined effectiveness of an 8-week "Wheel of Choice" intervention to discuss positive forms of conflict resolution among first graders. Found that students developed more positive strategies for solving conflicts. Physical and verbal aggression decreased from the first to the eighth week. Students used the "Wheel of Choice"…

Reports on a study that explored adolescent women's (N=1,025) emotional problems, suicidal behavior, and the frequency and type of sexual assault they experienced in school. Results indicate that 23% of women suffered at least one assault. A correlation emerged between number of assaults and measures of emotional disorder. (RJM)

Tested Freud's theory that sexist humor may be associated with hostility toward women. The humor of 10 sexist jokes was rated by 399 college students. Enjoyment of sexist humor was positively correlated with rape-related attitudes and beliefs, the self-reported likelihood of forcing sex, and psychological, physical, and sexual aggression in men.…

A study investigated whether 73 adults with mental retardation had difficulty understanding emotion-descriptive concepts and whether that difficulty can be attributed to difficulty with abstract concepts. Participants performed better on nonemotion than emotion concepts measures. There were no differences between abstract and nonabstract concepts…

A study examined the relationship between neutralizing routines and problem behavior in three adolescents with severe intellectual disabilities. Functional analyses found the problem behaviors were motivated by either escape or tangible items. Results found that neutralizing routines were effective in reducing self-injurious behavior and…

Maintains that the neglect of elementary school populations in violence intervention programs is related to society's definition of the word "violence" and ignorance about developmental precursors to serious violence. Discusses successful European interventions and suggests guidelines for future research and programs. (JPS)

Evaluates a short-term residential program utilizing a behavior modification program in an outpatient unit for adolescents with mostly conduct problems. Evaluation indicated predictors of outcome, including: age, gender, diagnosis, length of stay, father's presence, other treatments received, and presence of learning problems. Factors such as…

Predicts violent offending at adolescence is part of a general pattern of high-rate antisocial behavior that emerges in childhood. Also predicts multiple arrestees with no arrests for violence would self-report as much violence as multiple arrestees with arrests for violence. Findings generally support the contention that violent offenders show…

Describes a severe incident of hazing among 13-year-old male campers. Discusses hazing as a ritual or rite of passage gone awry, indicative of the lack of positive rituals for youth in our society. Recommends camp program procedures for responding to such incidents and strategies to prevent hurtful behaviors among campers and to promote group…

Eighth graders (N=517) attending three New York City schools completed a questionnaire related to drug use and aggression. Self-reported aggressive and unsafe behaviors were associated with initiation of drug use. Sex differences were found for aggressive behavior, victimization, and unsafe behavior. Implications for prevention programs are…