This reports the results of a pilot effort to investigate how social studies teachers attempt to resolve a situation in which values conflict. Ninety-two elementary and secondary teachers randomly selected from participants in two social studies conferences were asked to describe in writing an incident in which they were faced with a dilemma.…

The qualities of small group communication and interaction were tested in this study, which specifically measured group consensus and the quality of group decision making. Fifty groups of five members each were used. One member of each group was trained to exhibit either high or low "orientation," knowledge of the procedures the group…

A perspective is suggested for operating and maintaining an environment capable of providing sexual education and expression for children in a residential center for disturbed children. Considered are: (a) the role of staff selection, (b) ways of modeling behavior in the life space, (c) tactics involved in information seeking and information…

This report helps school administrators to analyze and plan policies and programs for establishing community relations. Topics discussed include the frequency and nature of confrontations and the need for discussions to ward off conflicts, the various community groups involved, the issues at stake, and the outcomes and their contributing factors.…

Orientation, in terms of the group discussion process, is the attempt to assist in achieving the group goals by using facts, making helpful suggestions, or resolving conflicts. Orientation behavior has been shown to relate in a causal manner to group consensus. This study reports significantly high positive correlations between orientation…

A conflict-cooperation-conflict model is offered of the genesis, functioning, and aftermath of an inter-governmental and inter-professional program in a major city. Outputs prior to this linkage are perceived as generating major conflicts which eventually were settled by decisions to parcel out certain school building responsibilities among city…

A basic assumption is that the level of conflict within and between nations will escalate over the next 50 years. Trying to "muddle through" using the tools and techniques of organized violence may yield national suicide. Therefore, complex conflict resolution skills need to be developed and used by some part of society to quell disorder…

The study focuses on the interaction between moral development and situational factors as it affects prosocial behavior. Three experimental conditions varied the permissibility of interrupting a task to help an "ailing" confederate. A situation by moral judgment interaction was predicted. Stage three and four subjects, defining right action in…

Ninety-six males participated in four-man teams involved in a complex decision making task. Subteams with differing functions but equal rank were established. Subteams either were or were not physically separated during the tasks. Group cohesiveness was not effected, but subteam task satisfaction differences were greatest when subteams remained…

The society's and the school's obsessive avoidance of conflict and insistence that "there are two sides to every issue" deadens students to outrage and injustice. (JH)

This article discusses conflicts that arise between teachers and administrators due to the role system of the schools and reviews research on the necessary ingredients for cooperative conflict resolution and collaborative decision making. (SJL)

Correlations were investigated between Erikson's psychosocial crisis stages (trust, autonomy, initiative, industry, identity, and intimacy) and Marcia's four identity statuses (achievement, moratorium, foreclosure, and diffusion). Erikson's theory of prosocial development and Marcia's ego identity status concept were supported. Coping with the…

Examines the potential conflict between majority rule and minority consent. Discusses the Civil War as a case in point of the two doctrines being unable to coexist peaceably. (DB)

Interjecting law-focused education into elementary and senior high school curricula can contribute to the humanizing of school programs. However, reflection about educational goals, exploration of alternatives in law-focused education, and planning for implementation must occur first. This article concentrates on a review of alternatives in…

This inquiry attempts to identify and examine some educational consequences of legal intervention in the schooling process. This examination is not intended as a defense of the status quo; it is intended to challenge the practice of casting educational problems into legal form. (Author/AM)