A study found that differences in children's ability to regulate their emotional responses, and in their social and cognitive development, are implicated in developmental differences in children's strategies for influencing others' mood states. (BB)

Discusses five issues related to the Georgia Centenarian Study: recruitment of centenarians, birth cohort effects, the changing age structure of the population, religion, and cognition and survival. Concludes that Georgia Centenarian Study provides critically needed baseline data so characteristics of centenarians of the twenty-first century can…

Acoustic and video data tracing the development of intrasyllabic coarticulation suggest that young children (n=30; ages three, five, and eight) and adults (n=10) produce similar patterns of anticipatory coarticulation, and perceptual data indicate that coarticulatory cues in the speech of three year olds are less perceptible than those of the…

The Six-Factor Self-Concept Scale was developed as a multidimensional measure of adult self-concept to be applicable across life settings and activities. Confirmatory factor analysis reveals a reasonably good fit for data from a sample of 365 noncollege adults. High factor congruence is found between gender and age groups. (SLD)

This paper reviews the research on speech perception and reassesses the contribution of innate capacities versus external stimulation in conjunction with age in first- and second-language acquisition. A developmental model of speech perception is then discussed in relation to neonatal auditory perception. (Contains 86 references.) (MDM)

Research on performance of older college faculty is reviewed, and in light of the findings, the emphasis in Australia on negative outcomes of an aging academic workforce is questioned. Concern is expressed about the trend toward early retirement incentives and a perceived link between faculty performance appraisal and age stereotyping. (MSE)

Young (n=80) and older (n=71) adults evaluated speakers in taped conversation of secondary baby talk or neutral variant addressed to elderly resident in nursing home by nurse or volunteer. Caregivers who used baby talk were rated as significantly less respectful and competent than peers in neutral condition; no differences were observed for…

Examines the variable distribution of word-final consonant devoicing (WFCD) among working-class speakers in the Roubaix district of northern France. WFCD is shown to affect coronals, labials, and velars in that order and to be favored by prepausal position. WFCD is primarily associated with female speakers over age 45. (40 references) (MDM)

In light of elimination of mandatory retirement and prevalence of preretirement career changes, this study evaluated a model of faculty satisfaction based in which length of time until reported voluntary retirement from academe might predict a faculty member's job satisfaction. Three faculty groups were studied: novices, midcareerers, and…

Explored whether there are changes with age in understanding the specific distinction between natural and human-made phenomena and whether an appreciation of this distinction influences children's beliefs about the possibility of altering or transforming different categories of objects. Found that this distinction, a powerful organizer for adults,…

Research suggests mature college students use more desirable approaches to academic learning, adopting a deep approach (meaning orientation) more often and a surface approach less often than younger students. Explanations include motivation by intrinsic goals; acquisition of a surface approach by younger students in secondary education; and…

Estimated odds of mild and severe husband-to-wife physical aggression in 11,870 white men. Being younger, having lower income, and having alcohol problem significantly increased odds of either mild or severe physical aggression. Drug problem uniquely increased risk of severe physical aggression. Marital discord and depression further increased…

Analyzed attitudes of suicidal ideators (n=104) and nonideators (n=104) at elementary, middle, and high school levels. Findings from responses to Student Attitude Measure revealed that ideators' attitudes were significantly more negative than those of nonideators. Some grade level and gender differences were found. (Author/NB)

Discusses a study of conversational dyadic interaction between children aged 1.5 to 3 years; their 4-, 5-, 7-, or 8-year-old siblings; and their mothers. Mothers were more supportive conversational partners and adapted their level of speech more than siblings. (GH)

Administers the Preschool Reading Attitudes Scale (categorized into four areas related to children's reading environment) to young children in early childhood programs. Finds significant attitudinal differences between three-year olds as opposed to four- and five-year olds as well as age-dependent differences among the ethnic groups. (MG)