A British 12-year-old boy died while imitating the heroic leaps of the cartoon character Batman. Tragic incidents stemming from cartoon imitation such as this one occur with alarming frequency. Still, many people choose to ignore violence in children's cartoons. Even some experts don't recognize that cartoons may be harmful. Researcher Wilbur…

The seventh part of a 10-part series, this report was compiled by the Educational Development Center at Wilkes College. The series deals with various aspects of the treatment of delinquents and is intended as a summary of research findings in each of the areas treated. Each report was prepared by a scholar-practitioner and is presented in a way…

Reviews nature of criminal activity in libraries in context of two criminological theoretical groupings: psychological theories (encompasses criminological attention to individual psychological traits), and sociological theories (examines ways in which societies are structured and how structures might generate crime). Some strategies of prevention…

This paper explores: precipitating social conditions which might predispose an adolescent girl to deviant sexual activity; experiences which may initiate entrance into prostitution; and the treatment of sexual deviance in young girls by the Juvenile Justice System. (Author)

Counselors must become aware of psychosocial and legal aspects of sexual abuse of children in order to provide much-needed assistance through informational programs and to establish clear channels of communication with referral agencies catering to needs of abused children. Frequently, school counselors are the only available confidants in the…

Provides an overview of recent research concerning children who are habitually abused by peers. Reviews three sets of influences on victimization: (1) family factors, such as family relations that impede a child's autonomy; (2) behavioral attributes of the child, such as submissiveness; and (3) social risk factors, such as the absence of…

Reviews etiology and prevention literatures, exploring relationships between problem and positive youth behaviors, commonalities among predictors, and implications for prevention. Risky/unhealthy/antisocial behaviors, poor mental health, and poor academic achievement are highly prevalent, posing critical dilemmas for adults. All behaviors are…

Interviews were conducted with 49 foster parents, teachers, and others who have worked closely with 284 children known to have been exposed to crack or cocaine in the womb. Many of the children exhibited impulsive behavior and inability to understand cause, effect, and consequences. Lists resources. (MLF)

Reviews the theory of reasoned action to demonstrate how it can be applied to understanding gang violence, and illustrates its potential applicability to a pilot sample of 30 contemporary and 18 earlier gangs living in a large metropolitan community. Results indicate this theory has been helpful in explaining higher levels of violence in…

This article reviews experiments that do not demonstrate the existence of setting events and some that include appropriate procedures for investigating setting events. It considers setting events to be a fourth term of an operant, and suggests that precise measurement and control of the three-term contingency is necessary. (Author/CR)

The present investigation employed an alternating treatments design to (1) examine the efficacy of group contingencies in the reduction of disruptive behavior, and (2) compare the effects of independent, interdependent, and dependent group contingencies in the reduction of disruptive behavior in adolescent males identified with serious emotional…

This book assembles and synthesizes some of the latest available information, research findings, and informed opinions regarding the parameters of homicide by youths and concerning the nature of young killers themselves. It provides a framework for understanding youths who kill, for moving forward with treatment, and for reducing violence in…

This paper examines national data from the early 1970s to the mid 1980s in order to identify trends in student and teacher victimization in schools. All the student and teacher victimization data reviewed in this paper contradict the notion of a progressive worsening of the school crime problem. Assault statistics showed little change, robberies…

The paper examines the causes of violent and other antisocial behavior in children. Considered are the effects of heredity and environment, and the nature and prevalence of learning disabilities in persons with antisocial behavior are noted. Effects of temperament and its relationship to stress are discussed. The author cites findings on potential…

Elements of a treatment program, Comprehensive Vocationally Oriented Psychotherapy, are presented in terms of youth contact efforts, job opportunities, community outreach, individualized teaching, program administration and job matching activities. An initial program evaluation, conducted on three levels of the boys' functioning (personality…