This book demonstrates that therapeutic play can provide a solution to contemporary socialization problems. It provides a selection of games and activities that teach children about living in the world through the dynamics of play. Section 1, "Introduction," defines "play" and the philosophy and rules behind a healthy play…

In order to be effective in the coming millennium, libraries will need to measure their performance rigorously against the expectations and real needs of their customers. The library of the future will need to be a customer sensitive, knowledge creating, agile enterprise. It must provide value to every customer, where value is the customer's…

Determined reliability/usefulness of a simple anxiety measure administered to 2,068 grade eight and nine students. Also found relationships between anxiety and such classroom characteristics as participation, teacher support, and competition. Suggests use of the measure in guiding teachers to change classrooms to reduce student anxiety. (JN)

A learning preference scale was developed in Australia to determine whether teachers preferred cooperative, competitive, or individualized learning. The instrument was used with elementary school teachers and with secondary school teachers of humanities and mathematics or science. The effects of sex and subject area on learning preferences are…

Letters from music educators reveal a wide range of opinions concerning the value of contests. Competitions can aid group interaction, build morale, and serve as incentive for student development. But students should be judged on musical abilities, not showmanship. Emphasis should be placed on learning music rather than on winning. (CS)

Analysis of electoral, socioeconomic, and demographic data on Florida's 1964-1974 Democratic primary elections tested the hypothesis that electoral reforms, such as nonpartisan voting, discourage competition and participation in school board elections. Findings showed Florida's school elections, which lack the reforms, are more competitive than…

The relative influence of cooperative-competitive social orientation on school achievement for Anglo-American and Mexican-American children was assessed. The importance of competitiveness for Anglo-American children and the moderate relationship of other personality variables to achievement in both groups is shown. (Author/CM)

Presents findings of a case study of three New York City high schools conducted in 1980 to determine the effects of retrenchment. Focuses on six areas: instruction, programs, support services, facilities, equipment and supplies, and extracurricular activities. (WD)

The self-esteem and perceived personal acceptance by the teacher of 18 nonhandicapped and l2 trainable retarded students were studied in a mainstream junior high setting. Students in the cooperative condition had the highest self-esteem and perceived the most personal acceptance. Handicapped students reported higher self-esteem than nonhandicapped…

The competitive structure in which most children are taught to play is responsible for problems associated with stress. Athletic performance is important in how the child is perceived by peers and adults. Children who perceive themselves as inadequate at sports often feel low self-confidence and low self-esteem. (JN)

When declining resources make difficult choices unavoidable, higher education must: assert a unified, coherent state strategy for instruction, financial aid, research, and public service independent of federal policy; eliminate outmoded facilities and obsolete equipment; reconsider the instructional process; and reevaluate the role of faculty.…

An athlete needs to be taught to identify strengths and weaknesses, to concentrate for longer periods of time and regain lost concentration, to develop greater self-discipline and self control, and to deal with performance anxiety. Instructions are given for teaching relaxation methods to athletes, improving concentration, and setting realistic…

Outlines conceptual distinction among avoidance, cooperation, and competitive conflict resolution strategies used by marital partners. Couples (N=43) were audiotaped as they discussed previous disagreements. Found the temporal aspects of speech, including turn-taking and interruptions, need to be considered in the study of couples' conflict…

Three peer tutoring methods and two group investigation approaches are examined for effects on academic achievement, students' attitudes, and ethnic relations. The five methods are: Jigsaw classroom (Aronson), Teams-Games-Tournaments (DeVries), Student Teams and Academic Division (Slavin), cooperative learning approach (Johnson), and small-group…

Enrollments, the competition for space, and the cooperation in the use of space in future campus planning activities are discussed. Campuses will only begin to think about cohesion or cooperation, it is suggested, if they can be responsive to three problems: enrollment declines, energy conservation, and economic difficulties. (MLW)