The effect of a Snoezelen room on the disruptive and prosocial behavior of three male, autistic inpatients was examined. In an ABAB reversal design, specific disruptive and prosocial behaviors were recorded for each client throughout the four 28-day periods of the study. Results indicated that the three clients had different responses to the room,…

Heterogeneity and individual differences in the developmental course of social withdrawal were examined longitudinally in a community sample (N = 392). General Growth Mixture Modeling (GGMM) was used to identify distinct pathways of social withdrawal, differentiate valid subgroup trajectories, and examine factors that predicted change in…

Thirteen studies were reviewed that were conducted using activity schedules with persons with autism to improve social interaction skills and decrease problem behaviors. Results across studies indicate that activity schedules enhanced social interactions and on-task and transition behaviors. Also, investigators in some studies used activity…

This study investigated social knowledge in school-age children, aged 8-12 years, with and without language impairment (LI and TD groups). A hypothetical peer conflict task was administered to examine the relationship among prosocial responses and parent/teacher ratings of children's social behaviours. Stimuli included 12 hypothetical peer…

This paper presents findings from the final two years of a four-year study investigating a manualized social treatment program for high-functioning children with autism spectrum disorders. The study sought to (1) replicate and expand findings from years one and two; (2) compare outcomes of participants who received response-cost feedback versus…

Background: The identification of specific nonshared environments responsible for the variance in behaviour problems is a key challenge. Methods: Nonshared environmental influences on teacher-reported behaviour problems were explored independently of genetics using the monozygotic (MZ) twin differences design. Six aspects of classroom environment…

The purpose of this study was to examine the etiology and cultural underpinnings of adolescent violence as collective case study analysis of three inter-related groups: psychiatrically hospitalized rural adolescents, their parent/guardian, and various hospital staff. Violence among adolescents is a serious societal issue that has had varying…

Found that empathic instructions (in which children were told to imagine themselves in the target person's place) enhanced donating behavior for male first graders but had no effect on females. Also explored the relationship between self-reported, emotional state and that of the target's, and interpersonal attraction ("liking"). (CMG)

Studies the reactions of 24 infants 18 to 24 months of age to simulated and naturally occurring incidents of distress in others. Additionally investigates the relationship between self-recognition and infants' prosocial or altruistic responses to others in distress. Results provide strong evidence for infants' tendencies to help and comfort.…

Investigated the effects which story books emphasizing concerns for others and those emphasizing concern for self have on altruistic behavior in children. Results indicated neither type of story influenced altruistic behavior. (Author/DB)

Discusses the limitations of Campbell and Christopher's literature on moral development and altruism, claiming that the authors based some of their conclusions on questionable definitions, incorrect assumptions about others' assertions and beliefs, and reference to a limited portion of prosocial behavior. Suggests that Kantian presuppositions play…

Clarifies and discusses the concepts of forgiveness and reconciliation. The differences between them are illustrated, guidelines for how counselors can avoid confusing them are given, and a case study is used to illustrate the differences and when each is appropriate. Implications for the helping profession and the well-being of the client are…

Last month, Phil Riner began discussing his project of teaching digital photography and prosocial behavior skills to inner-city fifth-graders. This work led him to generate some very specific procedures for camera care and use. Phil also taught the students some simple rules for taking better photos. These rules fell into four broad categories:…