Uses social systems theory to analyze the interaction of an informal group of family and friends formed around an individual in an intensive care unit. Discusses contributors to dissension including ambiguity of the task structure, fluidity of leadership and power, and failure of a utopian defense. (Author/JAC)

Describes individualized instructional systems as products of the same sociohistorical forces that have redefined work and individualism. Presents an analysis of individualization based on one year's ethnographic observation of an elementary school and points to the specific roles played by schooling in advanced capitalist structures. (Author/MLF)

Systems and communications theories applied to the delicate task of matching children with families promise an objective method for understanding the complexities of family relationships. The author shows how one agency successfully incorporated sophisticated theoretical tools into a study process evaluating the stability of foster family…

Defines and compares the Consensus and Model-building approaches in the identification of teaching and administrative skills. The Consensus approach emphasizes commonly known and accepted teacher behaviors; the Model-building approach assumes a more rational identification of a broad range of unfamiliar, but critical skills. (JCD)

Focuses on alcoholism in the husband/father. Disturbed personality and decompensation hypotheses were not supported by the data. Suggests systems theory alone is inadequate to conceptualize the inconsistency of the alcoholic, and his impact on the family. Proposes a combination of systems theory and Hill's (1949) crisis theory. (Author)

Describes the Systems Marriage Enrichment Program which was developed from the systems concepts of circular causality, the identification of predictable interaction patterns, and the adaptive and homeostatic mechanisms. Presents a protocol process consisting of five phases with goals and techniques. (Author)

A general overview of the systems approach is provided, including a literature review of its use in general education. Several systems approaches in science-oriented environmental education are examined and used as a basis for proposing guidelines for a systems approach to environmental education. (DC)

This review of the research on the effectiveness of an instructional systems approach at both the micro- and macro-levels discusses progress made in the last decade in developing a knowledge base for the systematic design, development, and delivery of instruction. A 35-item bibliography is provided. (MER)

Presented is a description of the evolution and curriculum of the masters program in aeronautical systems at the University of West Florida between 1969 and 1976. An explanation is given of the purpose and outcome of the group theses and research project in which the students taught themselves the systems approach. (SMB)

Discusses systems theory applied to alcoholism programing which enables programers to analyze a project for maximum system effectiveness. It is suggested that generating scarce resources, especially clients, and having appropriate services, calls for extensive interorganizational linkages and for sensitive interaction with the environment. (Author)

Emphasizes that the current closed or in-house systems approach to information retrieval needs to be expanded to include all the information systems available, and that the sources of user satisfaction and retrieval success must be tracked before changes can be made in certain system components. Ten references are listed. (FM)

Ways in which the Open University can meet its stated objective in adult education of meeting the educational needs of the community are addressed, including planning by inspired guesswork, national surveys, and expert consultation. Helping learners assess their own needs and structuring the helping process to enable better recruitment and…

Understanding and developing skills in working with families are important for school psychologists. By viewing a child's problems from a family systems framework, new interventions such as short-term family therapy can be employed. Training programs should include courses in family therapy. (JAC)

The success of an organization depends on a satisfied, challenged work force. Career planning is a key element in efforts to reach this goal. The author presents a strategy for developing a career planning system which takes account of the individual employee's needs within the corporate structure. (CT)

The truncated nuclear family consists of a two-generation group in which conflict has produced a polarization of values. The single-parent family is at special risk. Go-between process enables the therapist to depolarize sharply conflicted values and reduce pathogenic relating. (Author)