To advance towards a science of human behavior there must be well-defined constructs. This aspect of theory building tends to be neglected in the research conducted and services provided with respect to Afro-American and other people of color. Consequently, there has been so little relevant social science. In recent times large numbers of…

The purpose of this book is to help make what is known about self concept an important part of what goes on in schools. "Self theory" is neither an established fact nor an all-inclusive theory of human existence. Some students who esteen themselves highly do not achieve highly in school, and some researchers have thus not found an inevitable…

A model based on the theory that classroom interaction and the political content of class discussion are the means to achieving a sense of political efficancy is tested on Canadian elementary students. Classroom participation, classroom politicization, sense of school efficacy, political knowledge, various personal characteristics, as well as…

Oppositional feminist ethnography does have something to offer those in adult education. Because adult educators adhere to a mission of social justice, concern over issues of power, knowledge construction, positionality, identity, and voice have become more prevalent. Although discourses dealing with equity are increasing, those in the field still…

Oriental Jewish youth in Israel and poor Black American youth must both compete for educational credentials in social situations in which power relationships are heavily weighted against their interests. Their divergent behavioral responses are related to the different world views and corresponding strategies for social advances of the two groups.…

The well-being of adolescents relates to choices made during discretionary time. Participation in organized recreation provides for constructive use of free time and development of skills for managing discretionary time. This article reviews literature on adolescents' basic developmental needs and discusses social contexts of adolescence, making…

Summarizes and comments on a series of interviews with Chinese students in the United States regarding conflicts with landlords, professors, and merchants. Discusses the dichotomy between their desire to assert themselves and their feelings of apprehension dealing with unfamiliar relationships and power structures. Considers this experience in…

Argues against teaching approaches that put moral pressure on students. Students should not be expected to make environmental behavioral changes beyond their power. Children often do not have the free will to respond to moral promptings. Suggests cross-curricular alliances of economics, environmental education, and citizenship education that place…

Considers recent investigations of conditions that promote forward-thinking in young people and their realization of personal goals. Discusses environmental affordance, environmental press, mediational strategies, consequence management, and resources for coping. Suggests ways educators may help individuals develop potentials for foresight and…

Summarizes research concerning the long-range effects of teachers' controlling strategies and children's motivational orientations on achievement-related behaviors. Evidence suggests that children with an extrinsic motivation toward schoolwork suffer from important deficits that are influenced by teaching strategy. Research findings are discussed…

Presents a brief meditation on the power of women, the power of words, and the power of faith to enact social change. Discusses the work of Harriet Beecher Stowe, using her 1873 work "Women in Sacred History," to provide examples of women who made a difference. (MJP)

The retention of ethnic minorities is a major problem in American colleges and universities. This study deals with the factors that affect adjustment to college and, in particular, to achievement of "bicultural efficacy" for this group. Bicultural efficacy is defined as an individual's expectations that he or she can (or cannot) manage the stress…

This thesis focuses on the effects of the language of patriarchy on the power of Native American women, how these women have retained power in their own societies, and how an understanding of Native women's values can aid feminists. An examination of Native American women's literature provides a connecting bridge back to a time before patriarchy…

Since 1988, teacher surveys and interviews have been conducted in the 24 professional development schools (PDS) in Jefferson County (Kentucky) Public Schools to document teachers' attitudes toward efficacy and empowerment and toward their schools' learning climate. The 1990-1991 survey results show that teachers seem to have positive opinions of…

This study examines the consumption of resources by retired persons by distinguishing between institutionally controlled resources (social security, medicare, prescription discounts, medicaid, heating subsidy, supplemental security income, veterans' benefits, disability income, and meals-on-wheels) and personally controlled resources (gardens,…