This review describes four major hypotheses related to aggressive behavior and reviews current means for assessment. Hypotheses suggest that aggressive behavior is the result of a social skills deficit, positive or negative reinforcement, environmental deficits, or deficits in the cognitive processing of social stimuli. Changes in assessment…

Research using new direct observation procedures to analyze classroom social behavior of children with emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD) is reviewed. Research indicates teachers seldom provide praise or other forms of potential social reinforcement and that teachers may engage in behavior to escape or avoid social contact with these…