This paper provides the teacher with a brief introduction to the principles of behavior modification. Major areas of concern deal with the history of behavior modification, implications for the concept of mental health, the teacher's role, the difference between behavior modification and other forms of control, reinforcement, the role of…

Describes the Motivational Style Questionnaire, an 80-item, three-factor (locus of control, social need, and achievement motivation) instrument, designed to measure student motivation objectively. (RAO)

A description of the author's personal fascination with and study of Rousseau's life. Discusses Rousseau's many questions that are relevant to evolutionary biology, sociobiology, anthropology, and ethology. Questions concern the nature of human nature, the origin of human society, nurture-nature influences on humans, and the nature of male-female…

Two kinds of videotaped modeling--an expert and a coping model approach--were compared as to the relative effectiveness of each method in reducing beginning counselors' anxiety toward a counseling interview. Those persons who viewed expert models significantly reduced situationally related anxiety following participation in an analogue interview.…

Among the findings are that girls become more self-reliant and responsible than boys at an earlier age and that the non-social behavior of boys reflects their greater free time and lack of responsibilities. The responses of adults are inconclusive, but consistent with findings on childrens behavior. (Author/AM)

Examines the extent to which an infant's social initiative resists or is modified by three variations in the behavior of adult responsiveness: repeated responses, varied responses, and eye aversion. (HOD)

Reports on a study in which English secondary remedial students were observed and rated in their individual levels of on-task behavior. Results indicate that group-oriented classroom management procedures may achieve their apparent success merely by raising the on-task behavior of nontroublesome pupils. (Author/BSR)

Cluster analysis procedures used in a study of 43 stutterers (ages 3-9) identified 14 associated speech and nonspeech behaviors and speech disfluency types, three related indices (sound prolongation, nonspeech behavior, behavioral variety), and five clusters of young stutterers. Behavioral differences reflected differences in the youngsters'…

Describes factor analysis of preschool children's play behavior, as measured by the Smilansky-Parten play matrix. Varimax rotation solution suggests three factors: Dramatic-Constructive Play, Solitary Behavior, and Functional-Constructive Play. Study suggests that these factors represent constructs of preschoolers' play. (Author/RWB)

Attempts to describe links between transactional or dialectical and mechanistic models of development and provides a rationale for why both are useful. Examples of data sets deriving from early experiences are provided. Concludes that the applicability of the model for describing behavioral development is influenced by inter-/intra-individual…

Comments on G. Zivin's model of expressive behavior development, presenting support for (1) affect-induced and (2) spontaneously generated emotion and expressive behavior. Argues that these phenomena are mediated by sensorimotor and sensory-perceptual processes. (HOD)

Demonstrates that a mother's perceptions of and behavior toward an infant can be influenced by knowing whether the infant was born prematurely or full-term. Differences in maternal behavior arising from this knowledge appear to produce differences in the infant's behavior. (HOD)

Considers three questions: Do mothers of siblings show consistency in behavior to their children when observed with each child at 24 months? What stability is there in behavior of mothers toward their children from 12 to 24 months? Are sibling status or genetic factors related to differences between mothers in relative consistency or inconsistency…

Individuals can change negative, self-defeating behaviors through positive self-talk. Steps towards improving self-talk and developing a supportive environment include tuning in and evaluating thoughts, revising negative thoughts, and practicing positive thoughts. (DF)

A total of 192 high-risk infants and 85 full-term healthy newborn infants were administered the Bayley Scales of Infant Development. A principal component analysis was performed separately for the high-risk and control infants. Results suggest that the high-risk infant is similar to the normal infant in behavioral development, especially when…