This study examined the bahavioral science support for a set of 20 food-buying principles. Three types of principles are found; they differ in the consumer behaviors they recommend and in the nature and strength of support they receive in the behavioral science literature. (Author/JOW)

Consumerama is a Virginia 4-H program that teaches teens the skills, knowledge, and perspectives needed in the marketplace. The yearlong program involves three types of scored contests and culminates in a statewide competition. (SK)

Provides a brief history of the consumer rights movement in Japan and discusses the recent reinvigoration of the movement by the emergence of environmental issues as a global concern. (LZ)

Analyses 476 food advertisements in newspapers from 3 different sized cities. Finds that brand names, food names, and descriptive vocabulary comprise the majority of language in food ads across newspaper groups. Offers suggestions for using newspaper ads in the classroom. (RS)

Enrollment trends suggest a decline in interest in consumer studies. New curricular approaches include movement toward a root discipline such as economics or toward professional degree programs, such as consumer affairs in business or financial counseling and planning. (JOW)

"Using Credit Wisely" is a course of three audio/print units on evaluating credit decisions, managing credit load, and resolving credit problems. A sample of 33 users indicated that they had significantly reduced debt and changed their credit, spending, and saving behavior; 96 percent strongly preferred the home study mode. (SK)

This theme issue discusses maximizing the benefits and minimizing the risks of drug therapy for older people. It includes articles on psychoactive drugs, drug-related problems, medication compliance, geriatric psychopharmacotherapy, consumer guidelines, and outpatient prescriptions drug coverage as it relates to health care reform. (JOW)

A sample of 1,000 households provided 155 responses regarding dissatisfaction with automobile repair service, 166 for medical care, and 176 for grocery shopping. Analysis supported Hirschman's theory of the impact of "loose monopoly" conditions on consumers' choice of responses to marketplace dissatisfactions. (SK)

College students (n=40) in a consumer economics course wrote letters of complaint regarding unsatisfactory products or services. Eighty percent received responses, most within three weeks; 43% of companies complied with requests; 64% of students were satisfied with responses. Those who received no response were less likely to consider doing…

Focus groups conducted in Saint Louis, Missouri, determined consumer and provider perceptions relevant to the roles and functions of community education programs. Needs identified included community unity, services that support families, and more participation in community schools. (JOW)

Describes a faculty research project that involved undergraduate research assistants and offers recommendations to faculty considering implementing a research apprentice program. Focuses on consumer science but the process could be applied to a variety of academic disciplines. (Author/JOW)

A survey of students in Channel One and control schools showed that regular viewing of Channel One reinforces materialistic attitudes. Youngsters are bombarded daily with advertising from adolescent-oriented radio stations, magazines, and TV programs outside school. Channel One does provide educators with a excellent opportunity to educate youth…

A study randomly assigned 165 subjects to 8 advertising scenarios depicting positive and negative outcomes. Results showed that, in some instances, honest advertising claims were hard for consumers to believe. Consumer skepticism may evolve as a defensive response to persuasive advertising attempts. (Contains 51 references.) (JOW)

A survey of 194 black households in a Chicago neighborhood found that one in five did not use banks, 49% had credit cards, over 75% used alternative financial services (AFS), and many used informal financial networks. Nonbank and AFS users tended to be lower income, less educated, younger, and unmarried people. Consumer education and public policy…

Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) education is important to the well-being of individuals, families, and communities, and a rationale helps to justify the existence of these programs. This article suggests a critical science-based perspective for developing a rationale. In addition, it poses important questions for teachers, educators, parents,…