Examines possible correlates of difficult temperament by testing 152 adopted and 120 nonadopted infants at 12 and 24 months. Finds no significant relationships between parental reports of difficult temperament and other aspects of infant development, the home environment, or parental personality. Questions the utility of the construct of difficult…

Presents results of a study of 3,700 male and 300 female cadets during the first three years of coeducation at West Point. Reports significant similarities between male and female personality variables and characteristics but differences in their leadership ratings and attitudes toward sex roles and dating relationships. (KH)

Examined personality (persistence, future orientation, and the tendency toward reckless/rash behavior) and cognitive factors related to success or failure in college science courses. One finding noted is that both men and women were more apt to attribute their success to effort/ability, and their failure to the difficulty of a task. (JN)

Discusses results of a study of computer programers which assessed the emotional and social needs met by their interaction with computers, programers, and nonprogrammers. Since a significant portion of respondents expressed preference for computer interaction, an examination of needs fulfilled by computer interaction is presented, and societal…

A study sought a correlation between medical student personality traits and preference for a small-group, Socratic method medical course design. More students of the intuitive-feeling personality type than others reacted positively to the experience, but because the course requires more faculty time, less faculty support was found. (MSE)

Two explanations of the underlying process in faculty self-evaluation by videotape recording are outlined and integrated into one conceptualization. One theory is based on affect: self-confrontation, dissonance, stress, distress, and eustress. The second is based on a cognitive and information processing approach and includes feedback,…

Teachers need to become more aware of problems facing the shy/quiet child. This article defines shyness and examines its significance, harms, and causal effects. In treating shyness, it is helpful to offer oral communication classes for teacher and student, provide specialized, voluntary treatment, and encourage oral communication classroom…

Issues related to an increasing incompatibility between school psychology and projective assessment are examined. These issues pertain to educational relevance, changing social and educational values, potential litigation, and technical adequacy. The authors conclude that there are few valid reasons for school psychologists to use projective…

Investigated the particular beliefs that differentiate types of argumentative individuals. Found that high argumentative students tend to perceive arguing primarily as an enjoyable learning experience demonstrating rhetorical skills, while low argumentatives view arguing as a hostile communication encounter that increases conflict between people.…

This paper focuses on the structured learning approach to psychological skill training with aggressive adolescents, examining 30 evaluation-oriented studies of skills training with such youth. Emphasized are relevant experimental designs, prescriptive utilization of skills training, means for enhancing trainee motivation, transfer and maintenance,…

The previous articles in this journal on social skills are examined for their implications for training and practice of school psychology. The author concludes that recent developments from studies of social competence and social skills provide increased opportunities for school psychologists to make progress in general areas. (Author/EGS)

Investigated the self-concept mode indicated by 484 undergraduate students who completed the Twenty Statements Test. Result confirmed that students would represent themselves as primarily C mode (reflective-self), as 88 percent of the participants presented such descriptions. Findings were discussed in terms of the personality modes identified by…

Findings are given of a cross-national study that explored the processes of children's development of identity by examining how children learn what their ethnic group is and how their group should act. Adults seem to influence cultural and personality development, with social standing being more important than ethnic background. (DF)

Suggests that the characteristics of an abused child might be the result of the parent's abusive behavior or the cause of such behavior. The nature of the particular encounter and the matching or nonmatching of needs may turn the characteristics of the child or parent into risk factors. (JAC)

Sixty-four school psychologists kept daily records for four weeks of all tests they administered and the reasons they used each test. Projective tests were infrequently used, were typically used to measure personality or self-concept, and were considered less important than other tests for educational planning. (Author/BW)