This review highlights issues in functional outcome assessment and describes educationally based functional outcome measures applicable to students with severe disabilities. Specific norm-referenced and criterion-referenced instruments are reviewed for their usefulness in describing functional independence and functional challenges across…

Develops and validates the Masculine Behavior Scale (MBS) which is an objective self-report instrument designed to measure the following behavioral tendencies stereotypically imputed more to males than to females: (1) restrictive emotionality; (2) inhibited affection; (3) success dedication; and (4) exaggerated self-reliance. Analyzes scale's…

Describes some academic and social behaviors typical of learning disabled students and suggests ideas for developing and modifying lessons appropriate to students' needs. The characteristics of folk and fairy tales that offer valuable literary opportunities for learning disabled students are discussed and methods for helping students deal with the…

An exploratory study examined the origins of children's motivational patterns in the family by observing 10 helpless and 11 mastery-oriented third graders. Findings are consistent with the hypothesis that mothers of mastery children may socialize their children's achievement motivation. (SLD)

Determined the role gender plays in influencing the prevalence and patterns of sexual risk taking. Responses from 245 undergraduate students show gender differences in risk-taking patterns. For females, potentially risky behavior in the partner domain was negatively related to risky behavior in the sexual practice domain, whereas for males, the…

Explored relationship between perceived control and treatment outcome with adolescents exhibiting internalizing or externalizing behavior problems. Externalizing offenders experienced better treatment outcomes when they acknowledged their problem and credited themselves with success. Internalizing offenders, who attributed failures to themselves…

Examines the frequency and correlates of unprotected anal intercourse among 250 gay and bisexual African-American men in the San Francisco (California) Bay area. More than 50 percent reported having unprotected anal intercourse in the past six months. Findings demonstrate the need for risk reduction programs targeting this population. (SLD)

Tests the hypothesis that Japanese children demonstrate higher task persistence under non-competitive conditions than do their U.S. peers. Comparison of 107 first graders in Japan and 86 in the United States supports the study hypothesis. Type of school and student gender have no significant effect on task persistence. (SLD)

Two studies involving 135 female and 21 male undergraduates compare effects of masculinity and femininity on rater and ratee evaluations of emergent leader behavior in mixed-sex and same-sex groups. Masculinity is not associated with peer-rated leadership, but femininity is correlated with two measures (self-task and self-relationship) of…

Examines how African-American alternative masculine behaviors are expressed within same-sex peer groups and friendships. It is proposed that African-American males have adopted an alternative style of masculinity to cope with social and interpersonal pressures, even though it can sometimes be dysfunctional and associated with negative…

Potential long-term effects of the trauma of severe sexual abuse on a child's sense of living in his/her body and in the world are explored. Trauma and dissociation are analyzed and linked to a posttraumatic sense of personal identity. Then dissociation, multiple personality disorder, eating disorders, somatization disorder, self-mutilation, and…

Validity evidence for a new instrument, the Situation-Response Measure of Achievement Motivation for analyzing cross-situational consistency of achievement-related behavior, is presented in a study of 246 college students. Exploratory factor analysis indicates the presence of two factors, striving and apprehensiveness. (SLD)

Results of a story-completion study with 47 white middle class preschoolers (23 males and 24 females) confirm the hypotheses that gender-stereotyped styles of social interaction are apparent as early as the preschool years, and use of gender-stereotypes behaviors is associated with the child's perceived competence and social support. (SLD)

A University of New Mexico medical school study investigated opinions of faculty and students concerning student unethical behavior; discrepancies between the two groups' perceptions; prevalence of such behavior, as estimated by faculty and students; and policy and procedures concerning instances of unethical student behavior. (Author/MSE)

A recent study, "Alcohol and Drugs on American College Campuses," has prompted calls for more aggressive substance abuse prevention programs. The report cites widespread alcohol abuse and links drinking patterns to college size. In response, policymakers and higher education officials express concern about alcohol's relationship to…