In one experiment, kindergartners and second and fourth graders made quantitative predictions about how many items children would share based on information about the children's previous behavior. In a second experiment, kindergartners' quantitative predictions were more consistent with the behavioral information than were their dichotomous…

This commentary on a critique of holism within the learning disabilities field (EC 606 137) discusses differences between the natural and behavioral sciences, raises questions regarding the usefulness of the distinction between open and closed systems, challenges the notion that causation can be demonstrated without allowing for prediction, and…

Describes how the profession of teaching has evolved in this century and how teachers of the next century will finally achieve true professional status. Lists the qualities and virtues that will mark the professional lives of successful teachers of the next century. (HB)

This study, involving 11 older males with mild or moderate sensorineural loss, tested whether speech gain that results from a hearing aid fitting is predictable on the basis of unaided performance intensity curve, unaided narrow-band sound field thresholds, hearing aid insertion gain as a function of frequency, ambient noise, and internal hearing…

A study of the performance of Brown University medical students admitted with and without an interview, based on course performance, standardized test scores, and residency evaluations, provides evidence that the selection interview does not contribute to the predictive capacity of the admission process. (Author/MSE)

Examines risk factors for childhood homicides using data for Ohio-born children less than eight years of age killed between 1979 and 1986. Among the factors increasing risks were low birthweight, being Black, and having a mother who was teenage, unwed, or not a high school graduate. Other supports in the child's environment may reduce these risks.…

The Work Values Inventory and Self-Directed Search were used to predict retention of students in office occupation majors at Utah Valley Community College. The predictive model distinguished among students either retained (graduated, on-track, and "jobbed-out") and noncompleters. Noncompletion was correctly predicted for about 73 percent…

Examined relative influence of academic and nonacademic factors on academic performance of college football players. Findings from 98 student-athletes revealed that, for black college football players, only social support was related to fall term grade point average. For white player, both American College Testing (ACT) scores and negative life…

Describes the implementation of a concept practical in a physics class. Uses the example of students predicting and testing what will happen to the speed and acceleration of a ball rolling down variously-sloped railings. Some evidence of conceptual development was indicated by pre- and post-test scores. Suggests that a well-conducted class…

Investigates whether undergraduate psychology students will give optimistic estimates of their life expectancy if they receive either no information or correct information about the average life expectancy. Reveals that both men and women in each of the two conditions estimated their life span at approximately their actuarial age. (CMK)

Developed and validated short measures of peer pressure, peer conformity, and popularity with 148 adolescent Canadian boys and girls in grades 11 to 13. Results show all constructed measures to be internally consistent. Peer pressure and peer conformity were stronger predictors of risk behavior than measures assessing popularity, general…

This study evaluated use of the Test of Nonverbal Intelligence Second Edition (TONI-2) with 258 individuals (ages 4 to 41) with autism. Results indicated that age, verbal ability, and lack of attention deficits were most predictive of TONI-2 scores, whereas attention deficits and a moderate number of autistic symptoms predicted untestability on…

Factors related to risky driving and drinking/driving decisions were explored by presenting vignettes to 135 older adolescents, aged 17 to 24. Analyses reveal that alcohol-related behaviors, attitudes toward the acceptability of drinking, and previous drinking and drinking/driving experiences were all significant predictors of decisions about…

Using data from the National Opinion Research Center's General Social Surveys for 1974-1994, analyzes changes in gender role ideology among women in the United States. Results suggest that there may be a ubiquitous shift toward more egalitarian gender role attitudes among U.S. women regardless of individual characteristics. (SLD)

Examined the self-presentation of academic achievement in an interactional context with 73 male and 69 female college freshmen. Describing their own achievement when faced with a boastful peer, women were less comfortable in predicting their own grade point averages. Other gender differences are discussed. (SLD)