To determine (1) sociometric group structure, (2) acceptance, rejection, and isolate interaction patterns, and (3) terms most frequently associated with perceived personality impressions of the sociometric isolate, seating choice questionnaires were administered to 337 Chicago sixth graders. An attempt was made to codify and classify perceived…

Developmental family theory is used to conceptualize comprehensive curriculum content. Three theoretical facets (societal-institutional, group-interactional, and individual-psychological) are used to focus appropriate points in the curriculum to include various aspects of family functioning. Family theory is distinguished from family therapy.…

The case method (creation and resolution of hypothetical problems) provides students with an opportunity to use proper problem solving techniques. As the teacher's role is indirect, responsibility for learning is placed on the student. The merits, limitations, and various applications of this technique are discussed. (JN)

Examines the effect of leader and follower gender on leader communication behavior and follower satisfaction. Research suggests that group members can be equally satisfied with male and female leaders as long as they exhibit similar frequencies of task-oriented communication. (JMF)

Three potentially influential factors were examined in this study: who is being ranked (self or other), where the child fits in the class hierarchy (high or low), and what terms are used for ranking ("gets own way" or "is toughest"). Fifty-two fourth-grade students ranked themselves and their classmates. (Author/SJL)

Women living in homogeneous, as opposed to heterogeneous, residence halls described themselves as more intellectual, more content, and more exuberant. Grouping students according to commonality of curriculum appears to suggest that supportive, growth-enhancing environments can easily be established without undue involvement by the staff. (Author)

Only children and their parents may have special problems settling the issues of parent-child identification and attachment. Children without siblings and their parents face a continuing oedipal triangle unless the parents maintain united partnership at best, or at least are able to encourage independence in the child. (Author)

The Higher Education Management Institute's (HEMI) management development and training program, designed to improve college and university performance by helping managers understand and carry out their responsibilities, is discussed. Management teams, program organization, identifying needs, action planning, management training, and program…

Traces the development of an approach to studying face-to-face interaction that proposes to expound the rules or procedures of interaction and to account for observed behavior in terms of how it functions as a communicational system. A selective literature review and recommendations for further study are included. (EJS)

Analysis of results of a questionnaire to measure any relationship between mid-management students' perception of their class as a social group or learning environment and their achievement in class indicates that classroom environment is not a factor in achievement. (MF)

In 1975-76 school year, a group-guidance program was initiated for trainable mentally retarded children at Austin Opportunity School in San Antonio, Texas. Parent groups were also begun. The Program confirmed that severely retarded students can learn rudiments of group process and new ways of interacting. (Author/MC)

Describes application of cooperative-learning techniques to a translation course, using small group discussions to collectively arrive at more in-depth understanding of source texts and greater grammatical correctness, accuracy, and faithfulness. Argues that social support is important as participants share difficulties, gain confidence and…

Examines assumptions underlying the use of groupwork in the teaching of English as a foreign language (FL) in China. The article concludes that the primary role of small group discussion in FL learning should be in the development of collaborative learning strategies to master content rather than interpersonal communication in the target language.…

In a study of class participation, a survey of 1,059 college students and 49 professors revealed that students perceived seven factors in student participation, four of which were class traits, none professor traits; and that faculty perceived three variables, two class traits and one student trait. Implications of these findings for teaching,…

Discusses several online and offline community-building strategies that may be used to foster a positive social dynamic in online courses. Introduces a "communal scaffolding" model which lets instructors conceptualize how affective and cognitive learning are intertwined in online learning. A "communal architect" is someone who erects a communal…