Outlines some problems that emerged when speech act theory was applied to the analysis of natural discourse, traces these problems to basic flaws or misconceptions in J. R. Searle's theory, and proposes an alternative view of speech acts within the complex organization of discourse processes. (FL)

This study compared the relative efficacy of four short-term intervention techniques for modifying negative racial attitudes in White second- and fifth-grade school children. (CM)

Results showed that first-grade children were less likely to follow a task-based fair-play rule than were third graders when one of the other children was larger and older. When dealing with same-size age-mates, however, first graders were no less likely to follow a task-based rule than were third graders. (Author/CM)

Dynamic aspects of maternal language instruction and first language learning were explored by observing one- to five-year-old middle-class children with their mothers. (CM)

Patterns of verbal interaction between staff and 29 residents (8-32 years old) in a training center for young mentally retarded persons were examined. Conversation type initiations from staff elicited more verbal responses from residents than other types of verbal stimuli. (Author)

Studies variables associated with successful single-parent families. Single parents volunteered to share their positive family experiences. Information was sought on ages of family members and length of single-parent family status, education level and income, relations with absent parent, and relations with children. A hypothesis and counseling…

Describes a method for determining the effects of sex (or any other dichotomous characteristic) from the individual correlated behavioral responses observed in dyadic interactional situations. (Author/MP)

Fifteen Australian ninth-grade science classes used Australian Science Education Project (ASEP) curriculum materials with one of three levels of teacher structuring. Videotaped classes were analyzed for student and teacher behaviors. Concludes that more structuring results in more cognitive activity, more experimentation, and less task-irrelevant…

Investigated effects of interviewer use of positive or negative self-disclosure and interviewer-subject sex pairing on subjects' perceptions of the interviewer and of their own behavior. Results indicated interviewers disclosing negative information about themselves were perceived as significantly more empathic, warm, and credible than…

Female subjects (N=22) in two consciousness-raising groups were objectively assessed to determine whether changes relating to self-reported profeminist attitudes and behaviors and relating to self-esteem and social desirability would occur. All experimental subjects significantly shifted toward more self-reported profeminist attitudes and…

This study determined if there were any significant differences between groups of counselees and noncounselees when compared on the basis of Holland's six personality types as assessed by the Vocational Preference Inventory (VPI). No significant differences were found between counselees and noncounselees. (Author)

Defines emblems or symbolic gestures, distinguishes them from illustrators and discusses a recently developed procedure for surveying the emblem repertoire in various cultures. (MH)