Possible Selves theory, introduced by Markus and Nurius (1986), explores individuals' ideas of what they might become, what they would like to become, and what they fear becoming. This paper examines the theoretical foundations of Possible Selves theory and its implications for identity development, particularly among graduate students. It reviews…

Identifying different conceptions of success and how these relate to wellbeing is an important area of research. These insights would be especially beneficial for young people who can be guided through school education to reflect on core values, life goals, and indices of success to promote aspirations that will be conducive to wellbeing. Through…

"Twins have often served science but science has rarely served twins" (Novotny, 1988). Twinship presents specific challenges unique to twins in the realms of physical, emotional, social, interpersonal, and academic trials; twins many times suffer in self-esteem, separation-individuation, and object relations. This paper reviews literature which…

Identifies fundamental principles of psychology to explain how the self begins and develops over the life span. The influences that contribute to the creation of false and true selves in gifted children are discussed and strategies for promoting the true self of gifted children are offered. (Author/DB)

A 20-week seminar for preservice teachers sought to help each student develop his individual educative and inquiry process of professional development. Students reacted positively to the seminar's focus on students' initiation of their own learning. (CB)

Describes components of self-reliance and discusses three methods that can be used effectively to make children more self-reliant: behavioral patterning, expectation, and modeling. (HOD)

Personal futures planning is a tool for fostering new ways of thinking about people with developmental disabilities. Futures planning helps groups of people focus on opportunities for people with disabilities to develop personal relationships, have positive roles in community life, increase their control of their own lives, and develop the skills…

This essay takes the form of a dialog between the human "Self" and a questioner and explores the nature of individual self-consciousness, the Freudian model of the self, the development of the self in early childhood, the importance of parents in the self's development, and special problems of self-awareness in gifted students. (DB)

This training module was developed to educate personnel about the issue of self-advocacy by individuals with disabilities. The module includes workshop content (with side notes to the trainer in italics), overheads, and many handouts. Preliminary information includes module purpose and overall learning objectives, a module outline, materials…

Reviews and discusses the debate between the traditional psychoanalytic perspective on separation-individuation and the newer "rational" view of self-development. Finds each have equal importance both for understanding psychopathology and for providing effective and empathically-attuned psychotherapy. Provides clinical vignettes derived…

Considers perestroika's implications for Soviet recognition of sources of human motivation. Critically examines how the collectivist ideology endemic to twentieth-century Russian history failed to consider human nature. Attributes Soviet economic problems to a disregard of the need for individual autonomy and dignity. Calls for a reconsideration…

Autonomous learning, which implies the development of attitudes of responsibility and self-awareness related to thought processes on the part of the learner, is examined in the context of the organization and structure of the English public school system. Part 1 discusses autonomous learning and the way in which it may be developed in children…

This book uses poetry and essays to share how welfare reform has affected the lives of a group of female adult literacy students from western Massachusetts. After a brief explanation of the book's purpose, the women who presented their views in the book's poems and essays are profiled. Presented next are six poems that several of the women wrote…