Implications are that increasing a child's ability to think in terms of alternative solutions to real-life problems could supplement a primary preventive mental health program. (Authors)

After 6 weeks of 1st grade, 95 black and 93 white pupils in rural Maryland were rated by same race teachers on 24 scales. Among the findings, factor analysis resulted in group factors predicting academic achievement: good worker" for the black students and leadership" for the whites. Commonality of factors discussed. (DB)

Multitrait-multimethod analysis was performed on instructors' ratings from behaviorally anchored rating scales, graphic rating scales, and mixed standard scales. Two samples of 100 undergraduate students were distinguished on the basis of whether the statements on the mixed-standard scale were behaviorally specific or more generic descriptions of…

Proposes a behavioral assessment model which specifies three types of assessment information: direct observations, rating scale data, and interview data. Discusses characteristics of these three types of assessment information, with recommendations for their use. Suggests two psychological models to guide school psychologists through the…

Describes the PROBE Model which profiles worker behavior and reveals problems to be overcome. Discusses the six facets of behavior and the two categories of behavior and how they all work together. (CT)

Determined the utility of the Behavior Problem Checklist (BPC) with preschool children. Found the BPC sensitive in differentiating clinical from nonclinical groups. Findings suggest that the Behavior Problem Checklist, although not specifically designed to assess preschool age children, may be effective with this population. (Author)

Although behaviorally anchored rating scales have both intuitive and empirical appeal, they have not always yielded superior results in contrast with graphic rating scales. Results indicate that the choice of an anchoring procedure will depend on the nature of the actual rating process. (Author/JKS)

A comparison of parental descriptions revealed that mothers of developmentally delayed children listed fewer deviant behaviors than did mothers of behaviorally disturbed children, but significantly more than mothers of nonclinic children. The Washington Symptom Checklist, used in this research, proved a useful clinical tool. (Author/SS)

Empathy ratings, made for 27 counselor statements said prior to topic change and for 27 randomly selected counselor statements, were compared with the average empathy rating for the counseling interview. Empathy ratings prior to topic changes were significantly lower than the average interview empathy ratings. Results are discussed. (Author)

Reliability and construct validity of over 1,000 mothers' responses to the Disruptive Behavior Rating Scale-Parent Version were studied. Results indicated excellent internal consistency and test-retest reliability on three subscales (Oppositional, Distractible, and Impulsive-Hyperactive) but only marginal reliability on the Antisocial Conduct…

A study compared the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS) with the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised in 61 children (ages 4-16) with autism. Correlations between the test scores for DSM-IV criterion sets were on the order of 0.7. SRS scores were unrelated to I.Q. and exhibited inter-rater reliability on the order of 0.8. (Contains references.)…

Addresses the conceptualization, assessment, and treatment of social-emotional problems in preschool children. Promising findings, materials, and techniques are reviewed, such as the internalizing-externalizing dichotomy, developmental pathways, the Early Screening Project, the Preschool and Kindergarten Behavior Scales, behavioral momentum to…

Provides recommendations for improving the accuracy of diagnosing Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder using rating scales of procedures. Outlines strategies for managing the error intrinsic to the use of diagnostic measures, specifically behavior rating scales. Recommends a multiple stage procedure involving one or more levels of screening…

A study involving 41 mothers explored the relation of severity of functional impairment on the Childhood Autism Rating Scale-Parent Version to diagnosis, parenting stress, and child age. Children with autism received significantly higher ratings than did children with pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified. Severity predicted…