Two studies are presented. The first explores the convergent and disciminant validity of the Interpersonal Relations Scale (IRS). The second explores the hypothesis that, if the IRS measures intimacy, subjects ought to report performing the IRS behaviors more often in intimate than in causal relationships, regardless of overall interpersonal…

In a study involving 25 physically handicapped and 44 nonhandicapped preschoolers, two aspects --persistence and curiosity-- of mastery motivation were assessed with structured tasks. Free play was also observed to assess motivation in an unstructured setting, and mothers' perceptions of motivation levels were assessed. Results indicated that a…

A checklist of 26 behaviors is offered to help elementary level teachers determine where students are experiencing organizing or sequencing difficulties. Eight remediation suggestions for promoting organized behavior in learning disabled students are offered. (CL)

Among major results were that nonhandicapped preschoolers tend to select nonhandicapped friends of their same sex and age, and the same nonhandicapped preschoolers tend to select handicapped children who are older than themselves, who are more advanced cognitively than other handicapped children, and who are of the same sex. (Author/CL)

The extent of negative contagion (the modeling of inappropriate behaviors) among 15 high school severely emotionally disturbed students was explored. Through the use of naturalistic experimentation and a lag analysis, two behaviors (disruptive verbal and self-stimulation) were found to be contagious. One behavior (disruptive motor) was found to be…

The study explored family characteristics and behavioral-emotional reactions of 77 physically maltreated adolescents. Six different patterns of adolescent reaction to abuse were identified: acting-out, depression, generalized anxiety, extreme adolescent adjustment, emotional-thought disturbance, and helplessness-dependency. (Author/CL)

The article reviews incidence and reasons for suicide among adolescents and considers whether gifted students are predisposed to suicide. Clues to the suicide intention include talking about death and manifestations of depression. (CL)

An analysis of naturalistic observations of 20 children attending a preschool for the gifted suggests that young gifted children behave in a manner similar to unselected preschoolers. However, gifted preschoolers frequently demonstrate advanced knowledge, thinking abilities, creativity, and social maturity. Other observed behaviors include…

A concealed video camera can record learning disabled students' behavior and provide a nonjudgmental way for them to see how they appear to others. Such an approach can include a positive emphasis on redirecting energy as well. (CL)

Determines the time course of circulating cortisol following circumcision in 80 healthy newborns and investigates whether changes in behavioral state following circumcision in anyway paralleled the adrenocortical time course. Adrenocortical and behavioral data indicated that subjects were able to cope with circumcision trauma. Cortisol levels…

The authors suggest that line graphs that average response frequency over long periods obscure the major rate changes that indicate sources of behavioral control. A scatter plot can make patterns of responding identifiable and, in turn, suggest environmental features that occasion undesirable behavior. Use of scatter diagrams is illustrated in…

An examination of interpersonal antecedents for self-injurious behavior was conducted with eight retarded children. Initial analyses indicated no systematic differences in self-injurious behavior or antecedents across settings. Further analyses indicated that, relative to total occurrence, self-injurious behavior occurred significantly less…

Groups of 100 mentally retarded adolescents, exhibiting both self-injurious behavior (SIB) and stereotypy, stereotypy alone, SIB alone, or neither of these types of behavior were rated in terms of response to sedative-hypnotic medication. Results suggested that the paradoxical response to sedative-hypnotics may be a form of withdrawal. (Author/CL)

Describes 12 phases of adjustment to physical disability, including : (1) shock; (2) anxiety; (3) bargaining; (4) denial; (5) mourning; (6) depression; (7) withdrawal; (8) internalized anger; (9) externalized aggression; (10) acknowledgement; (11) acceptance; and (12) adjustment. Discusses observable behavioral correlates of each stage and…

Evaluated the role of intelligence in the selection of a coping strategy by undergraduate students in test situations (N=50). Results showed that intelligence was related to the selection of a predominant coping strategy and that identification of patterns of coping styles was more useful than one predominant style. (LLL)