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)

Suggests that the developmental stage of an individual receiving human-relations training is of critical importance in determining whether the training will be effective and easily incorporated. Reviews human-relations training models and what is known about the development of college students and suggests additional research. (Author/JAC)

Describes how elementary school teachers encouraged poor readers and writers by having them--and the whole class--keep journals on topics they knew more about than anyone else in the class and then read the entries aloud. Discusses a three-step process approach to writing instruction derived from this successful method. (HTH)

Negotiation and advocacy simulations, introduced into a Torts I course at the University of Florida College of Law, are described and evaluated by the teacher using them. Extensive supporting materials for the cases in point are appended, including statements of the problems, rules and instructions, tactics, and report forms. (MSE)

Describes Aspen School District's (Colorado) outdoor educational program for all students in grades K-12, focusing on the middle school students' experiences in the Outdoor Education Program. Through these experiences, children (grades 5-8) grow in self-worth, abilities, and emotional attachments; they develop a trust level toward other children…

Investigated the effectiveness of supervisor feedback in contributing to learning counseling skills. Counselor trainees (N=64) were assigned to supervisor feedback, no supervisor feedback, or control groups for three training sessions. Results indicated counseling skills were learned best by students with no supervisor feedback but self and peer…

Instrumentation, methodology, and analysis techniques were developed to measure changes in adolescents' (N=10) skills in linear distance estimation. Microcomputers were used to present and control amount of information available to assist students in said estimations. Results and implications are reported. (Author/SK)

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…

Describes a short-term group counseling approach to use with physically disabled clients that combines assertion-training with attitude clarification and information approaches. Discusses rationale for the program and describes the coping skills group model. Details purposes and activities for each of 10 sessions. (RC)

Describes a group training program for teaching social skills to juveniles on probation. The program teaches eight skills: giving positive feedback, giving negative feedback, accepting negative feedback, resisting peer pressure, problem-solving, negotiation, following instructions, and conversation. An eight-month follow-up showed good retention…

Assessed the viability of a modified microtraining approach to paraprofessional development using programed manuals and models. Therapeutic workers were randomly assigned to a model group, no-model group, and a control group. Covariance analyses indicated that training groups emitted fewer closed inquiries and had a higher interview empathy…

Discusses how greater student diversity and rapid changes in the field of psychology increase the need for individualized, innovative teaching methods and continued professional growth. Future psychology curricula should stress information-gathering skills, problem solving, and effective communication. (AM)

Supported by this experimental study was the hypothesis that science process skills of premedical and predental students could be improved by a semester-long course modeled after the AAAS Science - A Process Approach curriculum. Recommendations are made regarding the inclusion of science process skills in college science courses. (CS)

The use of the Interpersonal Communication Inventory (ICI) with urban undergraduate social work students is described. ICI measures the patterns, characteristics, and styles of communication along the dimensions of: self-concept, listening, clarity of expression, coping with angry feelings, and self-disclosure. (Author/MLW)

The failure of research on media to deal with media's symbol systems is discussed. Nature of symbol systems is described and related to cognition and learning. Symbolic elements used by media can facilitate the cultivation of mental skills in interaction with individual differences and depth of processing. (Author/RD)