Presents the results of a nationwide survey of attitudes toward computers in two categories: (1) the computer as a purposeful instrument, helpful in science, industry, and space exploration, and (2) the computer as a relatively autonomous machine that can perform the functions of human thinking. (MB)

Tested the prediction that individual differences in sensation seeking moderate the relationship between attitudinal similarity and attraction. Results showed high sensation seekers were more attracted than low sensation seekers to dissimilar others, whereas low sensation seekers were more attracted than high sensation seekers to people with…

Examined the relationship among selected ascribed and achieved traits and their relationship to occupational attainment, using a longitudinal sample of males (N=583). Data suggest that achieved and ascribed variables do not operate seperately. Residence in childhood and number of siblings had a significant effect on adult job status. (JAC)

Individual differences and the role of advance organizers in reading comprehension were examined. Subjects read short passages sometimes preceded by a given type of advance organizer. Good readers showed greater recall of detail given either type of advance organizer; poor readers displayed enhanced recall of detail only for a particular type of…

Assessed five scales as mental health measures for older persons (N=318). The internal consistency reliabilities for the anxiety, depression, and well-being scales were moderately high to high, but the reliabilities for the affect balance scale suggest some caution. Cutting points for the well-being and depression scales are suggested. (Author/JAC)

Investigated the impact of old-age and attractiveness stereotypes on persuasion. College students (N=220) read essays attributed to young or old authors. Attractive authors were rated higher and were more persuasive relative to unattractive authors when the essay was weak. (Author/JAC)

Argues that if students are unable to show improvement after two semesters of innovative writing instruction, they should not be forced to continue to write essays. (AEA)

Describes use of participant observation in a preschool setting, reporting findings on children's sociodramatic play, roles children assign adults, children's perceptions of teacher-directed organization and activities, children's spontaneous conversations, and individual learning differences and styles. Points out implications of such…

Compared self-esteem among 87 unemployed metal refinery workers and 81 who were still employed. Results confirmed that unemployed workers scored lower in self-esteem and those who were reemployed at other jobs scored between the unemployed and employed workers. Implications for counseling practices are discussed. (JAC)

Compared physically abused male preschoolers (N=11) with nonabused matched controls on the McCarthy Scales of Children's Abilities and the Wide Range Achievement Test. Significant differences were found on the Verbal and Memory Scales and the General Cognitive Index of the McCarthy. No behavioral differences were noted. (Author/JAC)

Examined the impact of disclosure flexibility in simulated counseling contexts involving 50 counselors in training. Results indicated that more flexible disclosures produced more effective counselor responses but differences were attenuated over the course of training. (Author/JAC)

Examined whether a total score on a multidimensional measure of trait anxiety could supplement the ability of individual dimension scale scores in predicting state anxiety responses to dimension-congruent stress. Results support the multidimensional approach to general trait anxiety but indicate that a total score would supplement predictions.…

Presents a model for analyzing teachers' time allocation procedures in collective instruction along with a qualitative analysis of 10 elementary school teachers' implementations of short sequences of mastery learning. Sequences illustrate possible ways teachers adjust conditions that are formulated in the model. (Author/MP)

Studied the relationship between depression and humor in 85 college students who took the Beck Depression Inventory and then rated 10 cartoons. Results showed no difference between mildly depressed and nondepressed subjects. However, some trends were noted on a mood scale related to immediate feelings and humor preference. (Author/JAC)