In order to illustrate the cross-culture applicability of Reeder's Theory of Beliefs, Disbeliefs, and Social Action and its usefulness in predicting and explaining social actions, studies conducted in communities in India, Sudan, Lebanon, northeastern United States, and western United States are examined. Using this theory, beliefs and disbeliefs…

In this study, the cognitive dissonance theory (Aronson, 1972) was applied in an attempt to produce an attitude change by dissonance reduction; that is, to induce a student to behave in a manner contrary to his/her held attitude, thus becoming aware of the inconsistency in his/her behavior and attitude. The attitude would then change to be in line…

Author attempts to provide a careful analysis of Maier and Seligman's manuscript (AA 522 796) on learned helplessness with the hope that such a critique will produce a positive effect by clarifying issues of contention and pinpointing weaknesses in need of correction. (Author/RK)

Individuals and groups who deal with others are constantly engaged in working out strategies, or choosing and reassessing their objectives and planning effective ways of achieving them. Presents a framework for understanding the conditions that give rise to strategic relationships and discusses five variables that influence their formation.…

Discusses two extreme theories about the social development of a child: "sociocentrism" considers the social integration of the individual as adaption to societal standards, attitudes, patterns, and language; "pedocentrism" sees development as a result of previous psychological aptitudes within the child. Notes problems associated with each…

In reviewing theoretical patterns in the use of self-concept in studying deviance, three principal categories of theories of deviance are suggested: (1) structural interactionist analyses; (2) socialization-control analyses; and (3) labeling analyses. The discussion also deals with clarifying the explanatory role of the self-concept in deviance…

Discussed is the role in special education of behavior therapy as an effective technology for dealing with the problems presented by a physical handicap. (DLS)

Discusses relevant theories and research on the effects of television violence on child behavior. Six measures are discussed which a media specialist may take to assure that this complex, controversial issue is examined properly in the school environment. (CMV)

Results suggest that adults may not be able to discover-invent-produce the learning that is necessary to behave more effectively; that they may be unaware of this possibility; and that if they try to get help from well intentioned others, it will tend to make things worse. (Author/AM)

The arrangement and use of space are parts of the nonverbal communications system of the class and, as such, have effects on the performance and behavior of both students and teachers. (MJB)

Focus is on assessing how Vance's concepts may aid in reconceptualizing and reorganizing much human behavior and social environment content to facilitate the integration of seemingly unrelated findings and conflicting theories on the relationship between disability, poverty, and alienation. (Author/LBH)

Summarizes Karl Weick's Model of Organizing including its advantages and limitations and tests one of the claims fundamental to Weick's argument. (MH)

Discusses a study designed to measure the effects of message threat level, message quality, and initial receiver attitude on attitude change and evaluations of source credibility. (MH)

Concludes that subjects with considerable prior exposure to common, nonviolent pornography preferred to watch uncommon pornography. Male nonstudents preferred it almost exclusively, as did male students to a lesser extent. Females also exhibited this consumption preference, though it was far less pronounced, especially in female students. (JD)