Examined relationship between global perceptions of family cohesion, adaptability, and adolescent ego development. Data from 180 high school juniors and seniors revealed that adaptability and cohesion were significantly related to ego development in adolescents, but interactions among the two variables, as well as with family structure were…

Discusses the role of humor in children's social development in the following areas: (1) social interaction; (2) friendship development and popularity; (3) hostility expression; and (4) interpersonal relationships. Argues that early humor development helps to optimize social development. (FMW)

Addresses common pitfalls in homogeneous scale construction in clinical and social psychology. Offers suggestions about item writing, answer scale formats, data analysis procedures, and overall scale development strategy. Emphasizes effective use of factor-analytic methods to select items for scales and to determine its proper location in…

Used 112 adult patients from three psychiatric facilities to examine psychometric properties of Basic Personality Inventory scales. Found no differences across facilities; sex differences on some scales. Scales appeared to be internally consistent. Using clinical staff ratings as criteria, scales were found to possess both convergent and…

Studies the interactional behavior between 64 mothers and their children aged two-four in relation to the mothers' internal models of relationships and select child characteristics. The results indicated that children's behavioral and developmental status and mothers' internal models were associated with dyadic behavior. (RJC)

Character education is a historical and fundamental objective of a sound physical education program. Excerpts from speeches by eminent American physical educators from 1885 to the present focus on the moral and ethical development of young people and instilling in them a sense of their potential for spiritual growth. (JD)

To examine the magnitude/nature of short-term fluctuations in work values, seven college students completed the Work Values Inventory daily for approximately 100 days. Results of factor analysis cast doubt on the hypothesis that work values behave exclusively as trait-like dimensions and recommend better use of idiographic approaches. (TJH)

Examines responses to graphic horror films based on gender and personality variables. Results indicate that responses to horror movies are largely determined by gender-specific rules for social conduct. (MW)

Examines personality traits and life circumstances which place adolescents at higher risk for suicide. Discusses depression, acute suicidal behavior, poor family relationships, alcohol and drug use, recent loss, failure in school, and other characteristics. Urges parents and professionals to know suicide signs and be active in prevention and…

Used Job Descriptive Index to appraise level of job satisfaction of 111 primary-care employees. The results revealed that varied personality types chose occupations in the caregiving field; satisfaction tended to be independent of personality type. Issues such as pay, promotion, and relationships with supervisors and co-workers were important…

Tested predictive validity of stress-vulnerability model of suicide ideation and behavior. Undergraduates completed measures of social/emotional alienation, adaptive resources for living, and cognitive rigidity at beginning of semester. Measures of stress and cumulative negative life stress were obtained midterm. Found that combination of…

Four- to six-year-olds and their mothers participated in a study of the relationship between mothers' reactions to children's negative emotion and children's temperament and anger behaviors. Mothers who viewed their children as able to regulate their emotional responses reported more supportive reactions than other mothers, whereas mothers who…

Describes the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (M-BTI), which evaluates people's preferences with regard to their involvement with the outside world, the way they receive information, the manner in which they make judgments, and their approach to interacting with the outside world. Discusses application of the M-BTI in community colleges for team…

Determined (in two studies) whether college students select toys that match children's personalities, toy requests, and their selection influences. Selections by 297 students show they chose toys based on their behavior, traits, and attitudes about toy appropriateness. Most students chose toys matching the descriptions given, and many cross-gender…

Investigated developmental change and patterns of individual differences in dimensions of infant temperament. Rothbart Infant Behavior Questionnaire (IBQ) was completed for subjects 5 times between 6 weeks and 30 months of age. Interpretable age changes were found for emotional reactivity, but not for the index of regulation (IBQ soothability).…