Analyzes defensiveness in communication as caused by an unwillingness to acknowledge and tolerate differences in others, a fear of change in ourselves, and a desire to avoid mental imbalance. It causes a deteriorating cycle between communicators but can be reduced by empathy, treatment of fellow communicators as equals, and genuineness. (JMF)

Reports on observations of interpersonal touching behavior patterns among residents of homes for the elderly. Analyzes behavior for Blacks and Whites, males and females, in terms of who initiates touching and parts of the body touched and used for touching. (JMF)

Behavioral observations of 177 students in classrooms for educable mentally retarded children and for educationally handicapped children (mean ages 10 and 11 years) were compared to their achievement scores. (Author)

Data on couples show that rates of domestic violence are related to attitudes about violence and to social structural variables. With respect to physical punishment of one's children and to spousal violence, findings show a spouse's violence has greater impact on the respondent's violence than the respondent's own attitudes about violence.…

Childrens' understanding of motives for behavior was investigated by showing interpersonal situations on silent films to 6- to 14-year-old children from middle- and working-class backgrounds. (CM)

Results with preschool children were nonsupportive and, in fact, contrary to the general hypothesis that high external locus of control would be positively related to greater behavior adjustment problems, as has been found with some groups of older children and adults. (RL)

Observes the seating arrangements by sex of three or more people seated at rectangular tables in 176 social and 150 nonsocial settings. Postulates the importance of situational context and learned sexual norms in the observed spatial behaviors. (RL)

The article discusses a study of the effects of adolescence on gifted students, in which 500 adolescents were surveyed on self-awareness of internal changes and behavior. (PHR)

This study demonstrated the effectiveness of a therapeutic motor development program based on a games analysis model for reducing feminine game choices in emotionally disturbed boys. (MM)

Examines characteristics of today's teenagers and discusses their buying power and buying patterns. (GT)

Typical characteristics of gifted children are outlined, and suggestions are made for encouraging and increasing their strengths. (JD)

A survey of published research determined that individual and group reactions to natural disasters differ greatly and depend partially on the predisaster personality. Four models are examined to explain individual and group reactions to natural disasters. A conglomerate model and a possible structure to future disaster research are offered.…

Describes Milgram's experiments in which individuals (assigned the role of "teacher") obeyed instructions to administer what they thought were severe electric shocks to "learners," and reports criticisms of the findings. Concludes that the experiments were sound and that they demonstrate that morality is situation-related…

School officials can use school nurses' sickroom records to improve health and accident prevention programs. (JD)

The relationship between individual attitudes and beliefs and response to health education is examined. (JD)