Asserts that modern ideas about the nation can be characterized by an emphasis on outer boundaries, and that contemporary Norwegians put questions of units and boundaries into the foreground with particular force. Describes how boundaries are important in Norwegians' everyday lives, most notably in current debates about raising children and about…

Postulates that creativity is a state of being challenged by the socialization process in Western civilization, which stifles creativity from early childhood. Explores definitions and theories of creativity, the functions of the social ego, and the different modes of being. Discusses implications for education. (Author/CR)

Highlights theories and concepts concerning gender and gender relations in modern society, applying some of these perspectives to outdoor education and adventure recreation. Argues that the more recent interactionist theories and cultural studies offer less deterministic and more insightful approaches to exploring people's outdoor and adventure…

Examines the sociological component of the urban community-based professional education programs at New York Theological Seminary offered at Sing-Sing Prison. Explores the simultaneous use of social theory and sacred texts as teaching tools and intervention strategies in the educational and personal transformation processes of men incarcerated for…

Discusses the role of literacy in enabling people to influence the political and social processes that affect their lives. Reviews various definitions of literacy. Citing Paolo Friere and others, considers the political, social, and economic issues related to literacy; and the components of and the conditions needed to develop a liberated…

Discusses two types of research--the "new structuralism" approach and "work and personality" studies--on the occupational attainment aspect of social mobility. Suggests that a life course approach to social mobility processes may provide a basis for integrating the structural and social psychological perspectives. Contains 25…

Sets bibliometrics in the context of the sociology of science by tracing the influences of Robert Merton, Thomas Kuhn, and D. J. Price. Explores the discovery of strong empirical relationships among measured communication and information that capture important features of social process and cognitive change in science. (SR)

Overview of the origins, development, rapid diffusion, and current usage of the concept of social capital in the literature. Focuses on three approaches to operationalizing the concept: those of James Coleman, Pierre Bourdieu, and Robert Putnam. Discusses social capital as a resource, as goal-oriented, and as a contributor to social control and…

Examines specific and narrow nature of selfhood. Debates social consequences of two central notions of the constructed self-authenticity and autonomy. Suggests that propagation of these notions within selfhood may have some derogative consequences to social relations. Suggests that counselors need to develop much more awareness of the sociological…

Examines social-cognitive theories predominating in research on determinants of health behaviors. Although the theories predict health behaviors with some success, the social-cognitive perspective is restricted to a unidirectional, non-dynamic view of behavioral change, neglecting the fact that individuals may differ in life goals. The health…

This article looks at the role of sociology and social theory in a selection from Brian Simon's historical writing. It also discusses his more explicitly methodological texts for, unlike many historians who form the basis for Bourdieu's observation, perhaps because initially he did not see himself as one, he frequently reflected on his theoretical…

There has been a decrease in "sex difference" studies in anthropology, education, feminist studies, psychology, and sociology since the mid-1970s but an increase in research on how gender relationships are created, maintained, and transformed through education. Social interactionism and sociocultural reproduction have become increasingly…

Psychology texts, dating from 1940, are examined to assess the impact of Raymond B. Cattell's work on the fields of social psychology and group dynamics. Factors contributing to his surprising lack of influence, including difficulties with the complexity, terminology, and independent nature of his work and personality, are discussed. (BS)

Current trends in educational policy analysis are criticized for vagueness of conceptualization, inattention to values and ethical issues, the narrow role of the policy analyst, the dominance of functionalists, systems theory perspectives, absence of educational terms of reference, and the failure of policy analysis to ameliorate socio-educational…

Examines the state of educational policy analysis, discussing the field's history, conceptual approaches to policy, areas of policy that have been studied, and methodological issues. Concludes with speculation on the future of policy research. (MCG)