Examines the effect on observer agreement when reliability measurement is switched from an overt system to two successive systems of covert measurement. Subjects were 17 undergraduate psychology students. (BD)

This study indicates that it is possible to define and demonstrate the relevance of a number of nonverbal cues that can be used as raters or reasons for assessment of teacher behavior. Findings indicate a major difference in the order and relevance of predictors used. (JMF)

It is suggested that the low reliability of five low-inference and two high-inference classroom observation systems are due not to lack of agreement among rates, but to apparent variation in teacher behavior across occasions. (Author/MJB)

Effects of model status and offender type on imitation of self-reward criteria were examined. Immature-inadequate and gang-oriented offenders viewed videotapes of models who were either stringent or liberal in self-reward criteria and were either staff members or peers. Subjects viewing the liberal model rewarded themselves more. (Author)

Advises beginning reporters how to obtain the three major ingredients of the news story: relevant factual material from direct observation; information from authoritative, knowledgeable, and reliable sources; and significant background material. (Author/GW)

A sample of 40 babies was observed in a variety of mildly challenging situations throughout their second year and in a series of follow-up assessments at age 31/2. Findings revealed two types of avoidant mechanism--wariness of the unfamiliar and fearfulness after exposure to a mildly difficult situation. (JMB)

Child-child interactions were observed in 2 preschools during free-play time and were recorded in terms of social initiations and responses. The degree of reciprocity in the quantity and quality of overall initiations as well as among the various initiation response dyads was analyzed. (Author/JMB)

Discusses reading instruction methods observed in Japanese classrooms. (MKM)

Naturalistic home observations of 54 preterm infants and their caregivers were made when the infants were 1, 3, and 8 months of age. Differences were found in the kinds of everyday transactions which occur with preterm infants raised with and without siblings. (Author/JMB)

A sample of 79 children from 5 to 8 years of age were observed for a 6-week period while they attended summer camp. Their inferential ability was assessed by asking each child to interpret a series of videotaped social episodes which were then related to their observed assertive and prosocial behaviors. (Author/JMB)

Ten elementary school teachers were asked to select from their classrooms boy and girl pairs whom they would label as best, average, and least well-behaved in classroom conduct. Retrospective teacher ratings and immediate behavioral observation data were then collected for each of these students. (Author/JMB)

Aggressive incidents were observed for 23 children in 2 preschool playgroups. Linear dominance hierarchies were constructed for each group and rank orderings on toughness were obtained. The rankings on perceived toughness correlated better with initiation of aggression than with observed dominance position. (JMB)

Details the components of a two-part, two-week assignment in the writing of description which gives the students a chance to work on both observation and order. (JM)

The article describes an observational playroom procedure (Structured Observation of Academic and Play Settings) used for evaluating symptomatic behaviors of hyperactive boys in the clinic setting. Case studies are presented to illustrate the differing pattern of playroom behavior in boys with different types of externalizing disorders. (Author/DB)