In comparison to American adolescent data sets, Japanese adolescents are found to have lower self-esteem and less favorable views of their bodies' attractiveness and effectiveness. Sex differences in self-concept account for more variance in the Japanese cohorts than in comparative American ones. Types of self-concept differences are similar in…

Several explanations have been advanced for sex differences in reading achievement, including hypotheses based on physical maturation, female teacher bias, teacher discrimination, feminization of reading, differential response to pupil behaviors, and sex-relevant teaching styles. Evidence for and against each of these hypotheses is presented, and…

Compares the cognitive development of four subcultural groups of boys (Black and White, and lower- and middle-class) in order to test Arthur Jensen's theory. Nine-hundred subjects were studied for four years, and memory, intelligence, learning and transfer measures were employed. (Author/RH)

The paper defines and discusses various social learning theories. Central to most theories of how an individual acquires socially acceptable behaviors are the processes of imitation, or observational learning, and identification, or modeling. The effectiveness of each process is noted. (SB)

Teachers and scientists indicated, by questionnaire, that elementary science curricula should emphasize the importance of biology for self-understanding and the development of positive attitudes toward science. Secondary level curricula should emphasize subject matter, history of science, and application of biology in life. (CP)

Life-span approach, monadic analyses, and quality of life as a criterion are basic considerations of follow-up research on Project TALENT, a 1960 survey of American secondary students. Preliminary results from sample populations of 30, 50, and 70 year olds indicate education's contribution to life quality. (SB)

Fourth- through sixth-grade classrooms were observed, and a social climate questionnaire and the Test Anxiety Scale for Children were administered. Analysis of variance showed that high-structured classrooms had the most work involvement. Both high child activity and low control by teachers were related to more active deviancy. (Author/RD)

The paper outlines the history of the long-standing dispute over land in Arizona co-owned by the Navajo and Hopi. It details the confusing history and predicted effects of related governmental action and legislation and describes the position of important personalities on all sides of the issue. (SB)

Some methods for getting adult learners to participate in classroom discussions are offered by a training manager. The trainer's attitude and the classroom environment contribute to motivating all trainees to participate, stimulate the nonparticipant to join in, and control the aggressiveness of the overparticipant. (MF)

A survey of 108 undergraduate students (32 males, 76 females) revealed 24 features of an ideal college professor, in three general categories: personal; interpersonal; and related. The prototype included 11 verbal and nonverbal communication behaviors. Female and male students differed in the ranks they assigned to both the general categories and…

Discussion of the culturally diverse college student population focuses on how teacher understanding of that diversity (in which the students are experts), and on how it can inform the classroom culture can help defuse tensions and become a source for teaching. Dynamics of the culturally and linguistically diverse classroom are outlined and…

Using recent data on gender differences in the characteristics and interests of school principals in the Netherlands, it is suggested that the underrepresentation of women in educational administration reflects women's greater orientation toward internal, teaching-related processes and men's greater interest in issues of power. The relationship…

Nine county-level urban-influence categories were developed to enhance research on geographic differences in economic opportunities. Categories differ along many social and economic dimensions: population growth, educational attainment, employment growth, earnings, presence of institutions of higher learning, and hospital and physician supply.…

Explores the reasons for the extraordinary conversion to Christianity among the Naga peoples of northeastern India. Almost the entire population has converted within the last 100 years. Tests the usefulness of models of religious change generated from fieldwork on conversion in Africa, specifically Robin Horton's "intellectualist"…

A study compared counseling interests of University of Maryland black freshmen in 1984 (n=90) and 1994 (n=265). Results suggest educational/vocational (EV) counseling was preferred over emotional/social (ES) counseling, males and females had similar counseling interests, and interest in seeking EV counseling was consistently higher than interest…