The philosophies underlying the learning and structural theories used in psychology are described in this article. It is argued that a dialectical view provides some ways to breach the chasm between learning theory and the study of human development. (Author/DB)

Argues that a better understanding of developmental processes is provided by three types of operant research -- laboratory behavioral descriptions, descriptions of naturalistic behavior-environment interdependencies, and predictive naturalistic studies. The usefulness of these processes are examined in light of the goals of life span developmental…

A mini-course was devised to aid physical education majors in modifying personal problem behaviors that could directly or indirectly have an impact on their teacher behavior. Relevant readings on the topics of behavior control and self-modification were provided. The subjects designed self-modification projects that involved the self-application…

The focus of the AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) Peer Educators project (based on Kohlberg's Cognitive Stage Theory of the Development of Moral Judgement) is to change behavior using a peer-based approach. Good mental preparation is essential if the Peer Educator is to be effective, for the AIDS Peer Educator is frequently required to…

Intentional changes over the past two years in the lives of 45 women and men in Toronto were examined through interviews involving extensive probing and dialogue. The intentional changes turned out to be mostly through self-help. It was largely the person herself or himself who chose, planned, and implemented the change. The person often obtained…

This paper presents an overview of the need for theory in the field of adventure therapy. It also outlines one way of conceptualizing theories of human change as they relate to adventure therapy. The field of adventure therapy is young and has not had time to develop a coherent theoretical base. In order to contribute to the development of a…

Criticizes the operant approach to the study of life span development from a theoretical behaviorism view. It is argued that the operant approach is too limited in its scope to enhance significantly the conceptualization and understanding of life span development. (Author/DB)

The newly developed, 72-item Q-Sort Inventory of Parenting Behaviors was administered to fathers and mothers of 84 young children in a 3-year longitudinal, cross-sectional study of stability and change in parents' child rearing priorities and the impact of the stability and change on child development during the first 5 years of life. Parents of…

Teachers at a small rural elementary school developed a curriculum to help children acquire life coping skills. Children learn responsible behavior and gain independence through discussion of "Heart" concepts, problem-solving, and drawing and writing assignments. "Heart" concepts are taught on a daily basis in the special…

Two differing viewpoints on the socialization of student teachers are presented in this review of the literature on the subject. The functionalist view places the student teacher in a passive role, shaped by childhood experiences, and influenced by peers, pupils, cooperating teachers, supervisors, and the structure of the school environment. The…

This paper examines the strengths and weaknesses of liberal education and and considers options for articulation between them in higher education. While the two fields seem unrelated, closer inspection of how each field defines itself and views its goals and objectives leads to the conclusion that they have many similar processes and affective…

A 5-week, 12-hour course given to the community emphasized understanding and coping with stress. At the beginning of the course several inventories were administered to the students, who also completed the instruments in a follow-up procedure 10-12 weeks after the end of the seminar. The course focused on recognition of stress signals and the…

This description of a weight reduction program, based on generalizations derived from eight years of work with overweight persons, discusses the clients' rationalization of overeating behaviors. In this behavior modification program, the client is required to permanently give up one high calorie food and to write down all foods eaten before actual…

A study examined the impact of specialized, residential camp programs on children and youth with disabilities. Case studies were used to describe the real-life context of program effects and to explore various effects in situations where there may be no clear, single set of outcomes for all participants. Fifteen specialized residential summer camp…

This personal narrative recounts the experiences of a group of adult learners six months after they completed a graduate diploma in adult education. They speak of their discovery that empowerment, in terms of enabling and energizing, involved a seeming contradictory sense of vulnerability in terms of "the paradox of empowerment." The…