Uses data from English comprehensive schools to suggest that schools teach the reality of second class citizenship for African-American people through a hidden curriculum. Argues that teachers have the opportunity to challenge stereotypes and empower students by putting antiracist principles into practice. Stresses the need to recognize and…

This cross-cultural perspective to language development addresses the historical background and methods of language socialization studies; variation in language socialization; and contributions of language socialization studies to theory, educational, and clinical practice. Stressed is the importance of educating (and remediating) children in a…

Two groups of adolescents and a group of Coast Guard officials were interviewed about hypothetical political problems. Solutions presented were arrayed along a continuum of expertise, according to the complexity of subjects' political schemata and skills used in problem representation. (BC)

Both a classification of the relatively new standards-setting consortia and a theoretical basis for their emergence are developed. It is noted that the theory is based on the confluence of political theory and the theory of markets, and the implications of these consortia for the standards-setting process are considered from theoretical and…

Describes results of an analysis of children's knowledge and use of social representations of gender. Reports that researchers observed four first-year primary school classes in England. Concludes that boys and girls possess similar knowledge of the relationship between gender marking of social category membership and material culture. (SG)

Assessed the effects of engaging in cooperative activities (such as sharing, engaging in dramatic play, showing affection, helping, cooperating, and taking turns) upon the prosocial behavior of 80 children in 4 kindergarten classes in Montreal, Canada. Found an increase in all prosocial behaviors except helping and turn taking. (AC)

Examines the strengths and weaknesses of interpretive and quantitative research methods in comparative developmental research. Cites three recent studies of the Yupno, Fiji, and Mayan peoples to show how the interpretive approach contributes to the understanding of the meaning of behavior in context whereas the quantitative approach contributes a…

Groups of first, third, and fifth graders were interviewed 12 months, 6 months, and 1 month prior to national elections to examine changes in their conceptions of the American presidency and of presidential elections. Differences among grade levels disappeared at the last measurement, as first and third graders' knowledge of the presidency and…

Investigates the pragmatic input of parents and the ways it contributes to preschoolers' acquisition of pragmatic competence (the appropriate use of language in social situations). Analyzes audiotapes of five families' interactions over a one-year period. Discusses results of research and offers insight into preschoolers' growth in pragmatic…

Three theories of commitment were tested by surveying 92 nursing students 3 times during their first year. The social exchange approach and unmet expectations about nursing careers influenced commitment during the latter eight months. The circumstances surrounding the decision to enter nurse training (behavioral approach) predicted commitment only…

The role that talk plays in socialization, social development, and possibly cognitive development is described. Research on talk is categorized as follows: studies that consider talk as a tool for investigation; studies that focus on development of grammar or language acquisition; and studies that fall between those extremes. (LB)

Responds to Maccoby's and Hinde's commentaries on the Belsky, et al. article in this issue. Highlights several points of concurrence and disagreement. Draws attention to the potential benefits of asking questions about proximal and ultimate causation simultaneously and, thus, the need for child developmentalists to think about both the how and why…

A school community is a collection of people affiliated with a school who have identified shared educational values and associate with one another to act upon those values. School-related social capital has decreased because parents whose children attend a school do not necessarily associate. Tips for strengthening school community are provided.…

Examined relations of maternal characteristics and child-rearing practices and children's vicarious emotional responses to kindergartners' and third graders' comforting of a crying infant. Found that children's emotional states were related to their comforting behavior, and girls' comforting and helping behaviors were related to several maternal…

Mothers of toddlers and preschoolers reported rules for everyday behaviors and noted their child's level of compliance. Results showed (1) commonalities among mothers in the network of rules being socialized; (2) high child compliance in situations involving rules for safety and other's possessions; and (3) an age-related movement from external…