This paper addresses several issues concerning the nature of imitative acts and the conditions under which they take place. These issues include: (1) the separation of imitative acts from reinforced behavior; (2) the separation of true imitative acts from reflexive acts; (3) the separation of imitative acts from acts which normally have a high…

Article critically reviews the research literature on peer modeling among children as a function of model attributes. Conditions under which perceived similarity causes behavioral change are discussed. (RB)

Describes the treatment of three children experiencing selective mutism. The procedure utilized incorporated self-modeling, mystery motivators, self-reinforcement, stimulus fading, spacing, and antidepressant medication. All three children evidenced a complete cessation of selective mutism and maintained their treatment gains at follow-up.…

While children approach performance situations with different combinations of motives, parenting and teaching practices can influence the development of each child's achievement behavior. Because achievement motivation is learned, and its development begins early in life with a critical stage during early childhood, it is necessary that pertinent…

This study investigated the effect of two independent variables on the sharing behavior of children. The results indicated that both observing a model share and longer ownership of the item facilitated sharing in these children, although the latter was originally hypothesized to retard sharing. (Author)

Kindergarten and fourth-grade children participated in a study designed to assess the effects of number of models and type of behavior modeled on developmental differences of children's subsequent generosity. As predicted, generosity of younger children was affected by behavior of model(s) to a greater extent than was that of older children.…

This study of 68 girls in a sports-with-prizes treatment indicated that children can be induced to behave generously, even after a lapse of time, in proportion to the amount of modeled generous behavior they see. Older children and children experiencing success were more generous. (SJL)

Assesses children's responsiveness to adults of both sexes as a function of the adult's behavior. Among the results, children showed a greater responsiveness to the same-sex adult in the collaboration condition and to the cross-sex adult in the praise condition. (Author/RH)

This report defines the concept of identification, presents results of Scandinavian mass communications research studying children's identification with the content of mass media, reviews research in this area, and indicates directions for future research. Two types of identification study are reviewed: those which studied the type of child who…

Fifteen mentally retarded (mean age 13 years), 15 learning disabled (mean age 9 years), and 15 normal (mean age 8 years) boys were equated on mental age, administered the Hagen Central-Incidental Task, and presented a modeling tape for imitation. (CL)

Provides an introduction to loglinear analysis of cross-classification tables, including tables with nominal and ordinal variables. Compares the chi-square test of independence with the loglinear model of independence. Reviews the advantages and overall strategy of loglinear modeling. Each model discussed is applied to data from the developmental…

Modeling and direct instruction were used to train children to cooperate rather than compete. Children in treatment conditions showed significantly more cooperation than did control groups after immediate assessment. Seven weeks later age but not treatment differences were observed in generalization of training. (Author/DB)

A strategy for preventing drug abuse by children and adolescents is socializing them into social competencies necessary for psychological health and responsible decision making. This is achieved through direct learning, identification based on admiration for superior competence, and adoption of social roles within meaningful relationships with…

Children 7 through 11 years of age were interviewed to determine their career preferences, the degree to which they perceive occupations as limited to one sex exclusively, and their perceptions of their parents' power distribution. Information was also collected on parents' jobs. Data were analyzed using sex typing of preferred career as the…