This collection of abstracts is part of a continuing series providing information on recent doctoral dissertations. The 14 titles deal with a variety of topics, including the following: (1) metaphor as argument in editorial cartoons, (2) conversational arguments, (3) message retention under threat of speech performance, (4) dominance and hostility…

In an examination of some relationships between culture, assertiveness, decisionmaking, and self image among Chinese Americans, this paper focuses on themes such as: (1) how cultural factors impinge on individual capability to be assertive; (2) specific ways in which cultural conditioning affects decisionmaking skills and other behavior patterns;…

Based on the assumption that educational research and development (R&D) requires the same technical managerial skills as any other business organization, this survey examined fifty management training programs for women and/or minorities in eighteen business, academic, and industrial settings. Information gathered on courses, workshops, and…

A sample of 63 subassertive adults participated in four 90-minute sessions of group assertion training. The treatment components of challenging maladaptive cognitions and learning self-instructions were examined by comparing Rational-Emotive, Self-Instructional, and Behavioral Assertion Training. A delayed-treatment control group was also…

A statistical analysis of self-assessment graphs completed by 347 students at the South Dakota State University at Brookings is presented. Each student was asked to complete the graph indicating where he was on seven social-type roles, seven skill-type roles, five responsibility-type general qualities, and five assertiveness-type general…

Considers the positive impact black organizational members can make in the workplace because of their unique interpersonal style. Reviews the literature addressing cultural differences between black and white interpersonal communicators, and also addresses cross-cultural difficulties. (NKA)

The participation of women in graduate studies and mathematics-related careers remains a social and economic problem in the United States. Part of a larger study to understand this lack of participation, here we present preliminary findings of girls who are high achievers in middle grades mathematics. This interpretive study documents girls'…

Health educators can encourage educational institutions and other organizations to develop programs that teach people to deal with sexual harassment. Such programs should: (1) build awareness of the problem; (2) help define suitable workplace behavior; and (3) develop skills, such as self-assertiveness, to ward off offensive behavior. (PP)

Lists the things that school board members need to know in order to understand and make a positive contribution toward contract negotiations. (JM)

Reviews research relating to various aspects of bibliotherapy, including academic achievement, assertiveness, attitude change, behavioral change, fear reduction, helper effectiveness, marital accord, self-development, and therapeutic gains. Discusses implications for using bibliotherapy as an adjunct to counseling. (RC)

Cultural stereotypes that interpret girls as less forceful or less assertive than boys in pursuing their own agendas, particularly during conflict episodes, are questioned. A theory of double-voice discourse is proposed to characterize a type of conflict talk that has a dual orientation, and examples for three- and four-year-old girls' talk are…

This study contrasted communicative skills of 20 community-based adults with mental retardation with those of 20 institutionalized adults. The institutionalized group was more assertive and less responsive than the community-based group. The institutionalized group also devoted more utterances to inappropriate topics and provided fewer repairs…

Presents results of a campus survey that suggests that many male engineering students have negative attitudes toward women, are generally more confident about their success in engineering, and receive more support from peers and mentors than do women. (Contains 34 references.) (Author/WRM)

Given the research that suggests the social use of language is the latest developing aspect of language, it was hypothesized that children with speech/language impairment (SLI) are particularly susceptible to social interaction difficulties, resulting in diminished social competence. This hypothesis was explored with SLI and non-language-impaired…

Victims and perpetrators of bullying experience a variety of psychological problems. The aim of the current pilot study was to explore the bullying experiences of Child and Adolescent Mental Health (CAMHS) service-users. The investigation was conducted as a cross-sectional survey at a community-based specialist CAMH service. A modified version of…