This document contains the reports of research at a symposium on "Altered States of Consciousness and Alcohol." The participants primarily agreed that alcohol induces an altered state of consciousness similar to other drugs, but that this phenomenon has not been explicitly stated due to the current interest in newer and more novel drugs. The…

This report summarizes preliminary results from a behavioral study of 13 male infants who were ascertained to have an XX Y sex chromosome complement at birth and who are being followed longitudinally through early ontogenesis. (CM)

Amphetamines and other stimulant drugs are not causing so-called "paradoxical effects" in hyperactive children but are actually effective because they provide needed stimulation. According to the Swanson-Brodemus Model, amphetamines, et al., provide internal sources of stimulation, thus reducing the need for external stimulation. (Author)

Discusses research conducted into the development of well-adjusted children reared in disadvantaged homes and environments. (SL)

This study reports on the prevalence of treatment for, and factors associated with treatment for serious psychological impairment in urban children, aged 6-18. Two samples were studied: a random cross-section of 1,034 Manhattan families, and 1,000 Manhattan families receiving welfare (Aid to Dependent Children).(Author)

This study describes the events and people involved in one particular case of crowd hysteria occurring in a group of limited age range and environmental exposure and investigages differences between the hysterical group and controls on sociologic, psychologic, demographic, health, and school history variables. (Author)

Head Start children were matched into two groups on the basis of disruptive behavior during rest periods. Attempts were made to modify their behavior using either instructions or token reinforcement procedures. Results suggest that a combination of reinforcement together with instructions is much more effective than either of these alone. (Author)

This paper describes a procedural guide for the application of behavioral principles and techniques in open welfare settings. The aim of the guide is to aid the worker in approaching assessment and modification from a behavioral point of view and to organize his activities sequentially and systematically in accordance with that view. (Author)

Although functional behavioral assessments (FBA) have long been considered "best practice" in the field of applied behavior analysis, their use by school psychologists has a much briefer history. To assist school psychologists in becoming better acquainted with FBA, this article overviews the conceptual foundations and underlying principles of FBA…

This response to four commentaries (EC 608 302-305) on these authors' earlier paper discussing behavioral research methodology used with individuals with developmental disabilities (EC 608 301) contends that the original paper does not denigrate behaviorism and that practice needs to be informed by a variety of inputs regarding treatment decisions…

This article reviews literature on the responses of direct care staff to challenging behaviors of individuals with mental retardation. The paper constructs a behavior analytic description of the functions of care staff behavior in relation to their clients' challenging behaviors, draws a distinction between contingency-shaped and rule-governed…

A close friend and colleague of Burrhus Frederic Skinner comments on obituaries of Skinner published in major newspapers and expresses his gratefulness for Skinner's contributions to the field of behavioral psychology, including his writing of "The Behavior of Organisms" and development of teaching machines and programed instruction.…

The daughter of Burrhus Frederic Skinner writes of her father's activities during the last few days of his life--his speech upon receipt of an award from the American Psychological Association, his work on research papers and books, interviews, and his final admission to the hospital where he died. (JDD)

Analysis of 347 articles published in the "Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis" over 19 years found that the volume of behavior-analytic papers on educational topics has declined. Concern with classroom conduct diminished but is still heavily emphasized. Reports of social skills and language studies accelerated, but analyses of academic…

This article summarizes procedures used in translating technical jargon in the field of behavior therapy to plain English. It lists phrases translated from applied behavior analysis to public education, presents acronyms useful in remembering sequences of steps, and describes two tests to help in decision making in behavior analysis applications.…