Describes higher levels of morality by contrasting Kohlber's Cognitive Developmentalism and Dabrowski's Positive Disintegration. It argues that far from being a gift, high-level morality is a function of the whole person. It is something chosen and striven for, and the result of compassion and some kind of disintegration. (Author/CR)

Examined the relationship among specified personality and individual characteristics of university students with their level of commitment to a measurable, results-focused statement of an ideal vision. Discusses locus of control, generativity, self-efficacy, values, and risk taking in the use of an ideal vision for strategic planning, needs…

This report reviews research on personality disorders (PDs) in adolescents, focusing on the prevalence of certain PDs by gender and the impact of gender on diagnosis. Empirical findings are presented pertaining to PD gender differences in adults for comparison and conclude that most DSM-III-R defined PDs are unrelated to gender. (Author)

Considers factors that help and hinder experienced instructors in transitioning to teaching online. Highlights include intrinsic personality characteristics as measured by the Myers Briggs and Gregorc Transactional Ability Inventory; job support; and training to acquire online teaching skills. (Author/LRW)

Used national, longitudinal data from two generations to assess explanations for intergenerational transmission of marital instability, one based on relationship skills and the other on marital commitment. Results suggest that offspring with divorced parents have an elevated risk of seeing their own marriages end in divorce because they hold a…

Investigates the relationship between thinking styles and personality types by having 600 undergraduate students from the University of Hong Kong respond to the Thinking Styles Inventory (TSI) and the Short-version Self-directed Search (SVSDS). Reports that thinking styles and personality types overlap to a degree. (CMK)

Examined the prevalence of eligibility for educational services for serious emotional disturbance (SED) among incarcerated youths, as well as how this designation relates to offender type. Logistic regression was used to understand whether youths with SED designations were likely to be incarcerated for violent offenses. SED status was not…

Examines the scope of poverty and the growing disparity in income among people. Discusses the consequences of poverty for adults and children and presents strategies to improving their resilience. Although focusing on individual characteristics can enhance resilience, it suggests that the best changes will come about with improved national…

This study is an initial examination of behavioral and emotional differences between male and female juvenile offenders using an omnibus self-report personality inventory. Differences between male and female juvenile offenders were found on 6 of 14 comparisons. Findings provide support for differential treatment planning in addressing the needs of…

Examines the impact of hope in the future and school climate as protective factors in school dropouts and graduates. Results reveal that dropouts rated perceived school climate significantly lower than graduates, and graduates rated the importance of attending college significantly higher than dropouts. Discusses results as evidence of the utility…

Assessed development of depressive tendencies over a 9-year period in a random sample of 389 Finnish children. Also assessed maternal role satisfaction and child rearing attitudes. Results underline the close interplay of child temperament and mothering factors in the development of depressive tendencies in girls and boys. (Contains 97…

Examines contemporary research on parental socialization. Highlights research designs that consider inherited, dispositional, and experiential factors in estimating influence. Describes evidence addressing issues of causality regarding the scope and nature of parental influences. Recommends basing conclusions about the significance of parenting on…

Examined consistency in prosocial dispositions, using longitudinal data from preschool through early adulthood. Found that spontaneous prosocial behavior observed in preschools predicted actual prosocial behavior, other- and self-reported prosocial behavior, self-reported sympathy, and perspective taking in childhood to early adulthood. Prosocial…

Examines 5535 English female students between 13 and 15 years old for attitudes toward the safety of their environments. Accounts for individual personality differences. Finds that personality and rurality are significant predictors of how students see their local area. Females in rural areas hold more positive attitudes toward their environment.…

Sometimes professionals learn the most from lay persons who overcome difficult experiences. The author ties together what he learned from a Holocaust survivor and from a former foster child who later became a police officer. In each case, it was a childhood experience that shaped the individual's choice of his or her life's work. (BF)