A common assumption is that boys are innately superior in analytical and quantitative skills and girls are superior in verbal skills. Research indicates, however, that these assumptions hold true only at certain times in the life cycle of each sex. There is evidence that cultural attitudes, rather than innate sex differences, account for…

This study examines the cultural deprivation theory of scholastic performance among black children. The hypothesis of the study focuses upon family based determinants to explain variation in academic performance. The report also discusses arguments which indicate that the cultural deprivation theory is responsible for the lack of black children's…

Fourteen brief articles focus on the young handicapped child and his family. Articles have the following titles and authors: "Elements of Early Care and Education" (W. Fowler); "Mothers and Fathers--The Special Child's Special Resources" (M. Lamb); "Child Development--Knowledge and the Special Educator" (A. Honig); "The Handicapped Child in the…

The use of touch in therapeutic relationships is seldom dealt with as a practice issue except in a proscriptive way. To gather descriptive information on the use of touch in therapy, professional therapists (N=50) whose practice was largely family therapy were interviewed about the successful use of touch in their helping relationships. Interview…

Research has provided only partial support for Anne Roe's theory of career development that states that childhood experiences lead eventually to patterns of adult vocational choice. To determine the validity of Roe's theory about career choice, childhood experiences, and family climates, male physics students (N=15), seminary teachers (N=15), and…

The main purpose of this essay is to articulate a conceptual framework for early mental development. The content of the essay is based on a review of psychoanalytic literature and includes an attempt to integrate preverbal developmental data with the constructs of psychoanalytic theory. The view is taken that object constancy and the capacity to…

Many correlates of vocational choice have been suggested by career development theorists. A career decision-making model developed by O'Neil, Meeker, and Borgers suggests six factors (individual, societal, familial, socioeconomic, situational, psychosocial-emotional) that affect both sex role socialization and career decision-making. The validity…

Several themes relevant to the personality development and intellectual functioning of children are presented in this position paper. Inferences for the education of Nigerian children are also drawn. Among general factors considered influential in children's intellectual development, three are emphasized: the way in which intelligence is defined,…

The purpose of this ethnographic study was to describe children's verbal information-seeking behavior in different naturalistic settings and to explore factors in those settings other than school which might have bearing on a child's propensity to seek information in school. Subjects were six girls in the same sixth grade classroom. Audio and…

This booklet contains two papers on sex role identification and a description of a Big Brothers program to provide male models for boys whose fathers no longer live with them. The first paper explores the ways that children learn and confirm their sex roles. A rationale for the development of more androgynous sex roles is also presented. The…

The argument for renewed theoretical development in the study of family communication has several implications. One is that researchers should concentrate on family communication as such rather than expanding generalizations from family communication to other groups and institutions; this requires grappling more specifically with the explication…

This guide is designed to help teachers instruct students in the areas of alcohol, drugs and traffic safety. It consists of two units targeted to third-grade students and the other to fifth-grade students. Each unit can be used over a two-week period. The lesson plans and related materials focus on helping students gain insight into factors that…

This practical guide for parents who care and want to help children learn to read and enjoy reading discusses ten ways in which parents and the home environment can influence reading habits and attitudes. These include: (1) encouraging the child while he or she reads, (2) reading aloud to the child and listening while he or she reads aloud, (3)…

This study explores the relationship between different home and school variables and reading achievement in bilingual children. The subjects of the study are 130 first- and third-grade children attending bilingual programs. Language proficiency and dominance tests were administered to the children and a questionnaire was sent to their parents. The…

The described inservice learning module is designed to provide elementary and secondary school teachers with greater knowledge and understanding about the social background and interactions of their students. The basic tool in this module is a booklet, and the table of contents is presented in this descriptive report. The activities and resources…