Analyzes data from a questionnaire addressing preservice elementary teachers' negative attitudes toward social studies. Identifies and discusses six categories of concern: negative past experiences; lack of personal interest; confusion over the nature of social studies; conflicting beliefs; topic selection; and traditional teaching styles. (MJP)

This study examined how a beginning teacher's autonomous teaching beliefs were translated into classroom practice. Observations and interviews indicated that she had an overarching belief in autonomy as an avenue for participation in democratic society. However, she encountered extreme pressure to conform to the school's existing teacher-oriented…

Examines the effects of cultural influences on social behaviors of children from diverse backgrounds and suggests practical applications for developing and implementing social skills training programs for these children and their parents. It defines "social skills" and provides charts of behavioral characteristics for students with…

A study compared student ratings (n=472) of course and professor before and after a faculty development workshop in lecture presentation; all other aspects of the course were kept the same, including content. Results suggest student ratings changes were affected substantially by stylistic changes in instruction, not by what students learned.…

Presents a biographical profile of Heinrich Roth, a psychologist and educator who had served in the Wehrmacht's political warfare division. Roth later experienced a spiritual and professional rebirth becoming completely immersed in U.S. educational theory. He devoted the rest of his life to developing a democratically-oriented theory of learning…

Predictors of adolescent behavior that could reduce the risk of their contracting HIV were studied with 230 8th graders, 106 11th and 12th graders, and 156 college students. Regression analyses suggest that the best predictor of some risky behavior is attitude toward risky behavior, while predictors of other behaviors vary by sample group. (SLD)

Reviews current research on infant and toddler physical development, cognitive development, and language acquisition. Provides a list of suggested activities, safety concerns, and opportunities for caregivers to enhance child development. (SD)

Studies of the degree of involvement (DOI) and its relationship to therapeutic intervention effectiveness and related services for young children with cerebral palsy were reviewed. Three dimensions of DOI: (1) brain damage and mental retardation, (2) functional motor ability, and (3) emotional disturbance and behavior problems were reviewed. The…

Describes a multimethod study of the perceptions of master's students in student affairs programs. Focused on self-reported, descriptive information about students' backgrounds, behaviors, skills, knowledge and comfort level concerning women, people of color, and gays, lesbians, or bisexuals. Also includes students' perceptions of the graduate…

This study examined the cross-ethnic equivalence of several measures commonly used to tap contextual correlates (i.e., parental symptomatology, family relations, peer relations) of serious emotional disturbance in children. Subjects were 117 juvenile offenders with diagnosed substance abuse or dependence disorders and considerable psychiatric…

Examines the relationship between family dysfunction, parental attachment, and career search self-efficacy using a sample of 220 community college students. Attachment to mother and father, and degree of family dysfunction combined to account for 14% of the variance in career search self-efficacy. Data were analyzed separately for men and women,…

Provides guidelines, activities, and teaching tips for creating and maintaining an open, cooperative, and participating social studies classroom. These guidelines offer support and structure to the students, encouraging them to engage in constructive dialog without fear of undue criticism or rejection. (MJP)

This study evaluated the association between middle school students' perceived risk of fighting and actual fighting behavior, examining the effects of race, gender, and grade. Surveys indicated that perceived risk of fighting was high, and one in five students fought regularly. There were associations between race, gender, grade, and fighting. (SM)

Examines whether affective perspective taking (the ability to identify and understand another person's feelings) plays a more significant role in altruistic helping than does cognitive perspective taking (the ability to recognize and understand the thoughts of others). This hypothesis is supported by the results of an experiment pairing videotape…

Differential item functioning (DIF) methodology for revealing sources of item difficulty and performance characteristics of different groups was explored. A total of 150 Scholastic Aptitude Test items and 132 Graduate Record Examination general test items were analyzed. DIF was evaluated for males and females and Blacks and Whites. (SLD)