Elucidates process-social structure controversy concerning relations of self to symbolic interactionism. Attempts to expound dimensions of symbolic interactionist perspective required for logically specifying and analyzing psychological, social, and situational conditions under which social structure and social process exert differential and…

An example of the phenomenon termed involuntary deviance is presented to illustrate the need for educators to be familiar with their students' medical problems and to help decrease the social stigma attached to some unavoidable health conditions. (MM)

Suggests that individualism has become intellectually untenable for the further development of practice perspectives in the profession of social work. The membership perspective as presented takes account of this and provides an alternative based on sociality. Discusses implications for social work practice. (Author/JAC)

Suggests that the learning of sex roles is based on a bipolar dichotomy of gender-appropriate behaviors. Response alternatives are discussed including the single polarity, bipolar acceptance, and integration of polarities. Contends that integration is essential for growth. (JAC)

Summarizes research on competition as a part of normal development that is disproportionately reinforced within American culture. Concludes that the negative effects of competition are widespread and damaging and that the members of the helping professions have a responsibility to create and protect cooperative environments. (LLL)

Suggests that connotations of assertiveness do not convey all of its meanings, particularly the components of positive feelings, communication, and cooperation. The application of semantics can help restore the balance. Presents a model for differentiating assertive behavior and clarifying the definition. (JAC)

Contends attempts by radical behaviorists to create better society are marked by analytical and philosophical shortcomings. Argues the allegiance of behaviorism to ideology of technocracy serves primarily to reinforce existing societal structures. Suggests, although behaviorism is being used mostly to preserve the regnant social order, it is…

The author discusses the grief process undergone by the bereaved individual when a family member dies. She gives suggestions to coworkers who interact with the recently bereaved individual. (CM)

Examines strategies that stutterers use to manage interactional order and identify by concealing, revealing, or disavowing stuttering. Discusses findings in relation to the way people manage disabilities in general. (GC)

Game-playing has become a more generalized phenomenon than ever, entering into public recreation, school programs, and commercial promotional efforts. Games require competitive interaction between two or more individuals, making game-playing useful in clinical therapy and opening games to technological innovation. The latest such innovation is the…

Model developed to enhance understanding of group processes and dynamics and to help plan for intervention and research in treatment or task groups. Presents a cognitive map of a group, incorporating five sets of group variables: (1) member characteristics; (2) behaviors; (3) group characteristics; (4) episodes; and (5) output. (Author/NRB)

Describes a simulation exercise designed to illustrate the effects of incentives on individual and group behavior. Examination of game-generated data suggests that the schemes affect both individual and group behavior. (Author/CMV)

Constructed a theoretical model, based upon social functioning components and types of legitimacy characterizing behavior of persons of advanced years. These criteria define behavior as actually or potentially deviant. The resulting classification identifies 18 distinct varieties of social deviance associated with the behavior of elderly persons.…

A simplified theory of the borderline-narcissistic personality is outlined as a stable configuration that can be located along a continuum of mental health functioning. Also described is a rating scheme used to test the applicability of this theory to practice. (Author)

Proposes an alternative to Milgram's overload model of urban behavior. Suggests that intense, complex and/or novel stimuli may lead to positive as well as negative effects, and that this may vary across persons or over time. Presents data that confirm the importance of urban complexity as an organizing variable. (Author/GC)