The Elder Abuse Awareness Project was developed to determine the incidence of abuse and neglect of elderly people in several rural counties in central Illinois. A primary purpose of the study was to survey service providers as to their actual encounters with elder abuse and neglect. Each provider was asked about warning signs or cues that were…

Anti-intellectualism and negative public attitudes about the professoriate are traced to four sources: (1) unquestioned supremacy of economic over cultural capital in the United States; (2) lack of organizational vehicles for faculty to contribute to social change and public debate; (3) unfair competition from policy institutes and foundations;…

A study measured the effect of reading materials containing positive depictions of aging and the elderly on the attitudes of primary grade children toward aging and elderly adults. Subjects, 91 students from grades one to three enrolled in a Jacksonville, Florida public school, read stories selected from "aging/elderly positive"…

The influence of television pervades American society to the extent that it seriously interferes with the development of desirable attitudes towards sexuality, nutrition, exercise, nonviolence, and general human wellness. (LH)

The authors examine various excuses offered by teachers and administrators for educational mediocrity, such as "It's not my job.""We've always done it this way." and "There's not enough money." They then suggest a systematic approach to changing these negative attitudes and improving performance. (SJL)

Makes suggestions for volunteers in college fund-raising telethons who must respond to negative attitudes about making a donation. Specific situations are addressed, including unspecified objections, "I'm already giving,""I can't afford it," requests to be left alone, uncertainty, and objections because of a variety of other issues. Exact language…

Discusses a questionnaire sent to 763 Society for College Science Teaching members to identify problems of teaching nonmajors. Notes the questionnaire had a high return rate. Lists the eight major problems: post negative experiences; motivation; what to teach; abstractions; how to introduce relevance; staying power; inquiry material; and…

This monograph is designed to give people engaged in human service activities some new and fresh ideas on how to handle stress, how to benefit from its positive aspects, and how to neutralize its detrimental effects. Part 1 provides a background statement and refers readers to an extensive bibliography provided at the end of the paper for those…

Studies have estimated that nearly 20 percent of high school students are experiencing life problems which can be directly attributed to their use of mood-altering chemicals. Many of these life problems, including truancy, declining academic performance, behavior problems, and chemical use itself, directly affect the school system. Any school…

By using a game-centered approach, mental health professionals can help teach social and emotional skills to their clients. The 66 games described in this book are presented using a standard format that includes suggestions for how to help players use their skills in daily life. The games were field tested using an evaluation strategy that focused…

The cognitive model of depression postulates that the depressed individual's cognitions are not only negative, but erroneous and impervious to information from the environment. However, the valence of that information ultimately determines whether those cognitions are impervious or merely receptive. The actual life circumstances of the depressed…

Competent listeners possess the knowledge and ability to listen, the positive attitudes and desire to listen, and the willingness to apply the ability and desire to listen. Having only one or two of these ingredients ensures ineffective listening. One common negative listening attitude is self-centeredness, as opposed to being other-oriented. The…

Presents three case studies of physics teachers who left for business and industrial positions. Problems identified as contributing to the teacher shortage are low rates of initial training and low teacher morale. Using extra pay to solve the problem is questioned and predictions are made based on the case studies. (JM)

Reports on a study of differences in assumptions about a just world among 140 college students. Finds that nonminority students saw their personal worlds as less random, more just, and more benevolent than they saw the general world. Finds that minority students saw both the personal and the general world as less benevolent and less lucky. (CFR)

Children often develop negative attitudes toward culturally diverse and exceptional peers who belong to a particular age, gender, disability, or racial group, and these attitudes evolve into stereotypic thinking, which leads to prejudice, discrimination, devaluation, injustice, and lowered expectations. Preservice teachers need to be prepared to…