Recent data suggest that genes influence three domains of great importance to family researchers: (1) developmental outcomes; (2) family variables that are thought to influence those outcomes; and (3) covariance between measures of family process and developmental outcomes. Influence of genes on variances and covariances challenges current…

Toddlers in foster care, exposed prenatally to cocaine, were assessed for development, temperament, play behaviors, and adaptive and maladaptive behaviors. Compared to nonexposed toddlers, these toddlers possessed more risk factors at birth and experienced more illnesses after birth; scored lower on conceptual development and higher on expression…

Addresses questions such as why children have temper tantrums, how teachers and parents should respond to a demanding child, and how behavioral outbursts can be used to help children deal constructively with powerful emotions. Distinguishes between normal and severe tantrums, and conceptualizes and suggests intervention techniques. (BAC)

Examines the adjustment of 172 Taiwanese students during their first months in the United States. A multidimensional model is used that accounts for 39% of the variance of adjustment. Mediating factors of the model include demographics, personality, number and severity of problems experienced, prearrival preparation, social support, language…

Presents two studies articulating the features of everyday conceptions of masculinity and femininity and determines the dimensions that underlie these constructs. Results show that conceptions of masculinity and femininity do exist, that they can be articulated, that lay conceptions of masculinity and femininity are multidimensional, and that…

To distinguish the homeless from the housed poor, 144 adults were randomly sampled from several sites and classified into 3 groups: the currently homeless, the previously homeless, and the never-homeless poor. The homeless group was less likely to be receiving public benefits and more likely to experience substance abuse and violence. (RJM)

This educational program for teaching self-control methods to second- and sixth-grade students incorporates learning, training, and practice of newly acquired knowledge on self-control at school, with homework assignments, and in the natural home environment. Young children can learn to use self-control methods for positive change. (LKS)

Considers claims from sex-comparative research that sex-related differences are small, unusually unstable across studies, very often artifactual, and inconsistent with the content of gender stereotypes. The article contends that feminism created a political climate that has led to research that inaccurately minimizes psychological gender…

Changes in political and social attitudes during college were studied for 303 Ivy League students in their freshman and senior years. Seniors scored higher on measures of liberalism, social conscience, tolerance of homosexuality, and feminist attitudes; they scored lower on male-dominant attitudes. Of particular interest is the increased tolerance…

Examined whether hostile and defensive personality characteristics contribute to conflict and withdrawal within marriage. Analysis of 90 newly wed couples' discussions showed that, among husbands, high levels of hostility combined with low levels of defensiveness accompanied increased conflict. This same personality pattern led to an increase in…

Psychosocial, psychosomatic, and psychodynamic factors were evaluated in 33 female psychiatric patients who had been victims of incest. Sexual abuse experiences in childhood were related to feelings of anxiety, helplessness, and powerlessness, which, with a lack of support from the mother, led to ego weakness, and an autoplastic model of coping…

Examines means of achieving dispositional educational aims (rationality and caring) by redesigning teacher education programs. Prospective teachers must be prepared to cultivate rational, caring dispositions in themselves to encourage these dispositions in their students. (SM)

Two sets of real sorting data from 50 college students are used to compare results of multidimensional scaling of raw co-occurrence frequencies or dissimilarity measures (D) and profile distances (delta) to determine which yields a better representation of the underlying structure of 2 sets of stimuli. Slight differences are discussed. (SLD)

Computed separate meta-analyses for 11 acculturation and adjustment classes: extroversion, self-esteem, locus of control, career, addiction, affective disorders, field independence, family conflict, anxiety/stress, intelligence, and psychosocial/health. Situation-specific associations were interpreted by integrating several models. Contains…

A discussion of college administrative staff in leadership support roles looks at the qualities, attitudes, and skills managers must have to be effective and successful. These include personal and professional abilities; relationships with subordinates, peers, and leadership; organizational communication; flexibility; and empathy. (MSE)