Notes that few investigations have addressed adolescents' conception of knowledge. Provides a rationale as to why it may be useful to more adequately explore how adolescents view knowledge. Reviews existing investigations and discusses three general approaches to the study of the subject. (Author/NB)

Discusses use of rock music lyrics to help hard-to-reach adolescents communicate feelings about their social roles and development. Asserts that guided discussion about familiar lyrics and issues they invoke can help adolescents offer opinions, listen to others, and learn to disagree without being aggressive. (Author/NB)

Contends that secondary education formalizes transition from adolescence to young adulthood in ways that exemplify patterns of segregation, transition, and incorporation that compose Van Gennep's "rites de passage." Explains how socially immature adolescents are segregated in high schools and formally socialized for responsibilities of…

Speculates on what might be gained by using three of Robert Cormier's novels ("I Am the Cheese,""The Chocolate War," and "After the First Death") in the high school classroom. Suggests that the novels can be used not only as compelling literary works but also as a means of helping students understand what is happening…

Examined relationship between parental socioeconomic status (SES), sex, and initial pubertal problems among Nigerian adolescents (n=700). Found that boys from low SES groups experienced more physical problems than other groups. Low SES students experienced more health problems, and boys experienced more problems than girls. Sex was important…

Study conducted in 1990 compared 2 samples of 542 adolescents from west Berlin and 340 adolescents from east Berlin. Findings suggest that general trend toward sexual liberality among adolescents is continuing and that necessary processes of adolescent sexual development appear not to be influenced by the threat of Acquired Immune Deficiency…

Explored psychological characteristics of teenage mothers (n=33) who were found to have experienced more traumatic childhoods than nonmother control group (n=34). Compared to nonmother peers, teenage mothers demonstrated more mature ego development as measured by Loevinger Sentence Completion Test. Content analyses of responses revealed highly…

Notes that Super's work to linguistically explicate and operationally define career development and its central processes has strongly influenced how counselors comprehend and guide their clients' vocational behavior. Explains how Super conceptualized career development in terms of life stages and developmental tasks, and how he proposed that…

Describes five types of acne and stresses the importance of appropriate treatment. Some dermatologists believe diet is critical in improving acne. Other treatments include the use of drying lotions and soaps, astringents, abrasive cleansers, prescription drugs, face peels, and dermabrasion. (SM)

Explored role of dress through observation and interviews of high school students. Examined adolescent dress in relation to public, private, and secret self. Obtained data on descriptions of various social types: average, punks, freaks, and nerds. Extreme social types appeared to offer valuable reference points for average adolescents in…

Analyzes real-life moral dilemmas of Israeli city and kibbutz adolescents. Emphasizes contribution of Gilligan's theory to knowledge of adolescent moral development as originally conceived by Kohlberg. Suggests that Kohlberg's view of the adolescent as a moral philosopher limits the understanding of the moral development of female adolescents, who…

This speech, given by the recipient of the American Library Association (ALA) Author Achievement Award in 1990, discusses the responsibilities of writers of young adult fiction. Issues addressed include problems in growing up, declaring independence from your peers, and the importance of the role of librarians. (LRW)

Investigated relationship between extracurricular activities and psychosocial development of college students using academic autonomy, clarification of purpose, and mature interpersonal relationship as comparative variables. Found that becoming involved in extracurricular activities generally promoted development of academic autonomy and aided in…

Used data on attitudes toward deviance during adolescence to illustrate assessment of psychometric properties of instrument for studying change, compare adequacy of linear and curvilinear growth models, control for time invariant and time-varying covariates, and link overlapping data cohorts. Findings suggest that prodeviant attitudes increased…

Discusses empowering youth as means of prevention/intervention. Considers empowerment programs such as those used by Ekerd Therapeutic Wilderness Camping System. Focuses on challenges, opportunities, and responsibilities of extended wilderness trips. Notes that proactively empowering adolescents requires adult leaders who are sensitive to…