INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES WHICH AFFECT THE ABILITY TO ACQUIRE WORD UNDERSTANDING WERE INVESTIGATED. GROUPS OF EIGHT CHILDREN WERE ADMINISTERED THE "WORD CONTEXT TEST." TWELVE DIFFERENT GROUPS WERE FORMED BY VARYING GRADE LEVEL (THIRD VERSUS SIXTH), SEX, AND SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS (WHITE MIDDLE CLASS, NEGRO LOWER STATUS, AND WHITE LOWER…

A literature review describes several dimensions of cognitive styles in an effort to illustrate individual stylistic differences. Discusses the field dependence-independence dimension, taking into account age, sex, and cultural differences. Suggests that cognitive style theory needs to be structured in a broader theoretical framework. (NH)

This study investigated the relationship of race and sex to college students' perceptions of occupational discrimination against blacks and against women. Blacks perceived more discrimination against black people than did whites. Black females perceived more discrimination against women than did either black males or white males. White females,…

Assesses the social image of cigarette smoking held by early- and middle-adolescent smokers and examines whether that social image serves to motivate smoking initiation. Results indicate that the social image of both male and female smokers is an ambivalent one. (Author/MP)

To learn if differences in age, intelligence, and sex account for differences in children's memory of TV commercials and "degree of insistence" (DI) after viewing them, 54 gifted, 71 normal, and 53 educable mentally retarded children (of both sexes, 7-13 years) were questioned. The mediating influence of the three independent variables on DI was…

Mexican-American and Anglo-American children from a semirural low-income elementary school were tested for competition, individualism, field independence, and school achievement. The Mexican-American children were found to be more prosocial and less competitive, but these factors were not necessarily related to lower school achievement. (GDC)

While debates over the heritability of IQ and the potential for culture bias in measuring instruments have generated much research and public comment, it is also possible to investigate the significance of interracial differences in mean IQ by ignoring both the foregoing issues and instead examining the social psychology of the test situation…

Looking times of 96 preschoolers were recorded as they were habituated on slides of sex-typed toys. After habituation, subjects were shown a test series of 24 slides. (Author/SS)

Examined association of individual differences in physical maturation with information-processing speed among 9- and 10-year olds. Found that early maturers were faster than late matureres, although this maturity effect was primarily the result of a significant effect for boys. The early maturers' faster processing times may be specific to boys or…

This study/action guide was developed from a project on difference and prejudice that was implemented in a Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania) high school in 1994 and evaluated through surveys and in-depth interviews. The book provides a basic introduction to difference and prejudice organized about issues of class, race, gender, and disability in the…

The reliability and validity of three measures of infant temperament were compared in this study. The measures included the revised Carey (1978) Infant Temperament Questionnaire, a version of the Bayley (1969) Infant Behavior Record revised for completion by the parent, and a modified version of Buss and Plomin's (1975) EASI, an acronym standing…

A historical view of the production and treatment of human difference and diversity in Ontario (Canada) school policy and practices is presented. Five distinct patterns are identified that have characterized the educational treatment of difference and diversity in Ontario. It is argued that continuing examination of the treatment of difference is…

Focusing on gender as a stimulus variable, this study explored whether performer and respondent's gender and ethnicity would affect the labeling of toddler behavior. In addition, such demographic variables as age, education level, and contact with children were investigated. From a subject pool of 928, a total of 528 subjects were drawn, equally…

Children's attitudes toward television commercials were investigated. Specifically, the study was designed to determine if children like commercials they perceive as real, or believe commercials that they like. Preferences for certain types of commercials which might emerge from age, grade, or sex groupings were also investigated. The study…