Case study of a Canadian aluminum smelter through 15 interviews, observation, and employee survey (n=214) revealed high commitment, acceptance of change, and worker independence from management. This pattern emerged from a traditionally strong union presence. Comparison with other cases underlines the centrality of collective organization to…

Discussion of computer-assisted language learning focuses on the benefits of virtual reality environments, particularly for foreign language contexts. Topics include three approaches to learner autonomy; supporting reflection, including self-awareness; supporting interaction, including collaboration; and supporting experimentation, including…

The author examines the views of John Dewey and Eduard Lindeman and how these men have influenced the debate towards cultural liberation from educational hegemony as seen in the works of more contemporary educational philosophers. (CH)

Considers families of people suffering from psychosomatic disorders from perspective of second-order cybernetics in which emphasis is on autonomy of various levels of system. Describes psychosomatic symptoms and illustrates symptoms as expression of ideas aimed at conservation of autonomy, both at individual and family level. Highlights…

Data from the General Social Survey of 9,338 Canadians showed that association between skill and autonomy was not strong and varied considerably by sector, occupation, and demographic group. Those with both high skill and high autonomy tended to be affected by the introduction of new technology. (SK)

An analysis of two dominant theoretical frameworks--critical thinking and self-directed learning shows that responsibility and control are fundamental to both. A reasonable conceptualization of either framework must involve learners' assuming responsibility for meaning while sharing control of the educational process. (SK)

Paired and group presentation methods of preference testing were compared with eight adults with severe-profound developmental disabilities. Each presentation method was also compared with staff rankings of learners' preferences. Similar preferences were identified with both methods. Staff preference rankings were not highly correlated with those…

Examined adolescents' abilities to discipline themselves in school by administering Family-of-Origin Scale to 76 self-disciplined and 51 externally disciplined high school students. Findings suggest that students requiring external discipline perceive significantly less intimacy with their families than do students who behave in generally more…

Explored interpersonal values of 69 experienced clinical psychologists and investigated clinician ratings of hypothetical, value-based therapy outcome vignettes. Clinicians showed greater endorsement of independence and lower endorsement of conformity in Survey of Interpersonal Values. Clinicians' own values were positively correlated with their…

Discusses issues of concern for severely mentally ill people (homelessness, family burden, quality of life, deinstitutionalization, community-based services). Considers how response to severe mental illness has overrelied on pathology-based models of helping. Offers strengths perspective as alternative that sees mentally challenged individuals…

Explores individual developmental and family system factors associated with running away. In model presented, ability of youth to successfully individuate is tied to overarching tolerances for autonomy and intimacy that exist within family system. Running away, in this perspective, is viewed as conflict-induced effort on the part of youth to…

Describes a functional model of self-determination as a dispositional characteristic of individuals. The model has been used to conduct research to examine the effect of self-determination on the lives of people with disabilities, to describe the development of self-determination, and to design interventions to promote self-determination.…

Examines the extent to which perceived inequity is related to perceived marital intimacy with couples married five or less years. Inequity was associated with lower levels of overall intimacy, identity, and expressiveness among wives. Among husbands, inequity was not associated with any types of intimacy. When comparing husbands and wives in…

A review of the literature provides a synthesis of 18 years of research on preference assessment with individuals who have severe disabilities. Several procedural variables were identified that may influence the outcome of preference assessment, including context, assessment stimuli, selection response, and format. Recommendations for designing…

Compared elementary and high school boys who were either severely visually impaired, sighted but blindfolded, and sighted with no visual restrictions. Investigated personal-space preference (PSP) and found the visually impaired and blindfolded boys chose a smaller initial PSP, but all three groups were similar on approach PSP and stop-distance…