This study shows that using authentic contexts for learning differential equations in a differentiation-by-interest setting can enhance students' beliefs about the relevance of mathematics. The students in this study were studying advanced mathematics (wiskunde D) at upper secondary school in the Netherlands. These students are often not aware of…

Ensuring all students have opportunities to engage in scientific argumentation is a key goal for K-12 students. While research has shown that teachers' beliefs about argumentation can impact their classroom instruction and that students in low socioeconomic status (SES) schools are less likely to experience challenging science learning, there is…

Adolescents are often resistant to interventions that reduce aggression in children. At the same time, they are developing stronger beliefs in the fixed nature of personal characteristics, particularly aggression. The present intervention addressed these beliefs. A randomized field experiment with a diverse sample of Grades 9 and 10 students (ages…

Many Extension professional associations have had trouble getting members to participate in national leadership opportunities. The study reported here examined the perception of members of a national Extension professional organization (NAE4-HA) regarding specific leadership actions. It found the single act of taking on a leadership position…

Examines several common human-serving fallacies about suicide as to their validity and discusses these myths in terms of how they operate to reduce anxiety about quality of life and death. Asserts need to dispel myths and seek truths in order to understand and prevent suicide. (Author/NB)

Conceptual confusion might lie at heart of free will-determinism controversy. Reconceptualizing issue by positing independent bipolar dimensions (determinism versus nondeterminism and self-determination versus nonagentic mechanism) seems to create conceptual space for belief in both free will and determinism. Recent agentic theories of human…

Notes that people often see what they expect to see, have learned to see, or want to see. Presents theoretical discussion of perception and cognition. Identifies 10 skills for correcting perceptual and cognitive processes involved in dealing with incoming stimuli. Proposes that these skills will increase social workers' accuracy in making…

Discusses the emerging holistic orientation to social work and examines issues involved in the shift from a medical model to a health-oriented paradigm. Although the holistic view is compatible with the profession's most fundamental principles, it challenges traditional assumptions about the relationship between social worker and client. (JAC)

Introduces the faith development paradigm of James Fowler, describing six stages of faith development: intuitive-projective faith, mythic-literal faith, synthetic-conventional faith, individuating-reflective faith, conjunctive faith, and universalizing faith. Reviews one research project in which Fowler's paradigm was applied to older adults.…

This commentary brings together a collection of articles that addresses several of the important issues in research on personal epistemology. We also propose a more integrated model that elaborates on the following fundamental elements of personal epistemology: (a) a mechanism of change (i.e., epistemic doubt, epistemic volition, and resolution…

University professors teaching pre-service teachers base much of their philosophies on theories. Students often ask "Why do we have theories?" "What is the purpose of theories?" "If we like a theory, do we have to use all of the theory?" The most frequent controversial issue is how to use a particular theory in a practical way. In the quest for…

Promotes understanding of the philosophical systems that undergird models of counseling, and the implications of those systems for actions in counseling. Traces the development of 18 major counseling models and speculates on how these models and philosophies began. Considers how philosophies within models can influence mental health counseling…

Notes that battered women in rural America are a neglected population. Addresses the plight of these women and points to the unique sociological factors and religious beliefs that make them a difficult group to reach. Presents implications for counselor education programing. (Author)

Attempts to describe the psychological processes that predispose an individual to adopt a Satanic belief system. Describes processes in terms of child-parent relationships and the developmental tasks of adolescence. Proposes a model called the web of psychic tension to represent the process of Satanic cult adoption. Describes techniques for…

Describes mythical beliefs, thinking errors, and faulty attitudes collected from a group of 67 male juvenile sex offenders. Addresses four major thinking errors: pretentiousness, uniqueness, failure to assume responsibility, and distorted values. Notes that therapists need this information to develop effective treatment strategies for replacing…