The identification of conflict and development of common ground, important steps in the interdisciplinary research process, become challenging when applied to solving complex real-world problems that involve opposing interest groups, especially those whose members do not possess academic or interdisciplinary training. This article examines…

Background: Language has been shown to play a critical role in social cognitive reasoning in preschool and school-aged children, but little research has been conducted with adolescents. During adolescence, the ability to understand figurative language becomes increasingly important for social relationships and may affect social adjustment. This…

The "Life Skills and Leadership Manual" is designed to be used by Peace Corps Volunteers and their counterparts who work with youth worldwide to develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes integral to three Youth in Development sector competencies: (1) Support healthy lifestyles and prepare youth for family life; (2) Prepare youth for…

Early information processing strategies were examined in a study of 32 young children's search for objects. Results suggested a distinction between two aspects of the development of search: the acquisition of new search skills and the establishment of appropriate priorities among skills already in the child's repertoire. (Author/MP)

Although over 5,000 children and adolescents commit suicide annually, little is known about suicidal thinking of normal children. Due to ethical considerations, researchers must be sensitive to the possibility that they could introduce suicide as an option to a child. A methodology was developed to examine suicidal thinking through projected…

Paper discusses in some detail the design of a problem-solving monitor and includes an annotated student protocol and the corresponding problem-solving graph. (Author)

A new approach to the development of strategies and procedures for rational resolution of value conflicts is described and illustrated. Strategies are based on 6 tasks for meeting the standards for a rational value judgment discussed by Jerrold Coombs (1971). The 6 tasks involve reducing differences in each of the following: the interpretation of…

Describes a dynamic construct that classifies societies according to their dominant method of resolving conflict in the area of libel on a continuum from self-help to mediation, with criminal and civil law remedies between. (DF)

Three approaches to teaching university-level creative problem-solving skills are described. (BD)

As a consequence of studies indicating that students' ability to think can be improved through direct instruction, this booklet presents one approach to teaching thinking skills within the context of existing curricula--a model described as the "inclusion process." The booklet discusses what thinking skills should be taught and how to…

This paper discusses some of the central issues involved in philosophizing about rhetoric by raising two primary questions within the context of three traditional branches of philosophy: ontology, axiology, and epistemology. The two questions raised are: What are dialectical tensions in a philosophy of rhetoric? and How does a person try to cope…

Discusses different roles the problem statement can play in inquiry and some resulting classroom implications. (SL)

The social information-processing skills of 16 aggressive and 19 nonaggressive men with borderline-to-moderate mental retardation were examined. The two groups did not differ in their ability to generate multiple solutions or provide appropriate responses. K. Dodge's social information-processing model is considered. (Author/SW)

Compared communicational interactions of maritally distressed and nondistressed couples engaged in conflict resolution tasks. Distressed couples made significantly more negative cognitive and problem-solving acts. Distressed couples evidenced more reciprocity of negative communication as compared with nondistressed couples. Relationships of these…