Suggests that connotations of assertiveness do not convey all of its meanings, particularly the components of positive feelings, communication, and cooperation. The application of semantics can help restore the balance. Presents a model for differentiating assertive behavior and clarifying the definition. (JAC)

Social and nonsocial behaviors of infant rhesus (macaca mulatta) and pigtail (M. nemestrina) monkeys reared in total social isolation were compared with those of socialized controls. Results question the generality of rhesus total isolate behavior as a model for some human problems. (Author/SB)

Identifies events in the competitive process that could be employed to discriminate between competition and individual, nonsocial behaviors. If a subject is working for the competitive contingency and checks his progress against another's, his behavior may be classified as competitive rather than individual, nonsocial behavior. (DP)

This research has shown that assessment of social behavior beyond differentiation of extremely poorly functioning individuals from normals is possible. (Author)

Discusses the need to educate the community to its responsibility toward the mentally ill. (GB)

The results of these experiments strongly suggest that the occurrence of behavioral contagion depended on the relative advantage an initiator's action establishes over the other members of the group. (SD)

Twenty-eight mentally retarded adults received behavioral training in assertiveness. Analysis of videotaped role play responses indicated significant improvement in polite refusal of unreasonable requests as well as evidence of generalization and maintenance of assertive refusal skills. (Author/CL)

Three groups of children pursued sensitivity exercises, cooperative activities, and free play, respectively, over six weeks. Children in the sensitivity group (which promoted trust/dependence) showed less competitive and more cooperative behaviors on a cognitive task and more child-sensitivity on a moral task than the other two groups. (Author/MJL)

The first study examined preschool children's looks directed toward male and female adults. More than one adult of each sex participated, and measures were taken of eye contact as well as of exploratory behavior. The second study examined children's looks toward adults in relation to their interpretation of an adult's gaze. (RH)

Two experiments were conducted in which same-sex pairs of subjects who were either similar or opposite in self-monitoring conversed for 10 minutes. Conversations were videotaped, and the patterning of speech and gaze was examined. (Author/SS)

Concludes that sociobiology is of some use in explaining microlevel (social) psychological phenomena (although social variables must always be considered at the same time) but is of negligible importance in explaining macrolevel phenomena. Available from Behavioral Science, Systems Science Publications, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY…

This study explores the relationship between the Pupil Control Ideology Scale (PCI) and the sex of the teacher, level of teaching (preschool, elementary, secondary), as well as level of school bureaucracy based on the Moeller scale. (Author/RTS)

Argues that there are important individual differences in infant responses to frustrating situations. These different patterns of behavior have important implications for subsequent responses to challenge. Also argues that these different coping responses are in part temperamentally based and that individual differences in temperament help us to…

Studies the tenure of Edwin Lawrence Godkin, founder of "The Nation" magazine. Examines Godkin's ideas about social science, and explores the relationship of his ideas to nineteenth-century concepts of natural law. (MM)