Reviews a series of studies documenting that key aspects of helpless reactions to failure are present in preschool and early elementary school children. Proposes a preliminary model in which a general conception of self and the notion of this self as an object of contingent worth are sufficient conditions for helplessness. (HTH)

Reviews the major contributions of Alfred Binet. Explains why the fame of the Binet-Simon Intelligence Scale was so long lasting whereas that of his other contributions was so fleeting. Discusses implications of his contributions for current efforts to formulate unified theories of cognition and cognitive development. (Author/GLR)

Research in the field of developmental disabilities has found direct links between severity of a personality trait or psychopathology and particular pathology of the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). From studies of behavior phenotypes, new psychiatric disorders are being recognized, such as Williams syndrome. The formulation of valid behavior…

Reviews studies investigating the relation between personality characteristics and human-computer interaction. The review is divided into three areas: (1) how personality traits are related to programing aptitude and achievement; (2) personality traits of people who use program skills in their profession; and (3) the relation between personality…

A review of the research on relatives of people with autism indicates that relatives are sometimes affected by difficulties that appear conceptually related to autistic behaviors. These range in severity from pervasive developmental disorders to abnormalities in only one area of functioning, and possibly extend to personality traits. (Author/DB)

This article explores what the concept of intellectual character offers that traditional views of intelligence based on abilities do not. The origins of the concept of thinking dispositions are traced and various views regarding the dispositions that might comprise and define one's intellectual character are investigated. Educational implications…

Global organizations with personnel in India rank innovation as a primary workforce development objective to stay competitive in the global market (NASSCOM, [2007]). This analysis reviews relevant literature for evidence of cultural factors that stand in the way of innovative performance in Indian personnel and discusses implications for the…

This paper examines how the concept of the "whole" child changed from 1890 to 1940 and how those changes affected approaches to early childhood education during that time. The literature survey is based on the content of the published proceedings of the Kindergarten Department of the National Educational Association. Examination of the…

It is proposed that common variance among Factor V personality traits might best be modeled in terms of three broad and distinct subdomains one level below the superordinate level of the so-called Big Five. Three studies are reported that point toward this compromise conception of the top of Factor V as Absorption (A), Intellectance (I), and…

This comprehensive literature review examines the issues involved in practicing psychotherapy with African-American women, and explores the adaptive coping styles utilized by black women in a antagonistic environment. Attention is given to the exploration of traditional resources utilized by the black woman in coping with her environment, such as…

Most child abuse has a violent quality. A review of the research on child abusers reveals some interesting psychosocial and historical characteristics. Research has shown violence to be more likely in less stable populations, in persons with poor driving records and histories of severe accidents, and in those who are undereducated and unsuccessful…

Locus of control is considered a primary factor in the difference between students' high and low achievement. This phenomenon is defined as a polar construct which refers to the degree to which individuals view their successes and failures as either contingent upon their own behaviors (internal locus of control) or independent of them (external…

Previous research on adult cognition has focused mainly on the distance that separates the adult from the "formal standard" and on the factors that interact with formal operations whether they are moderators of competence or a hypothetical fifth step. Results of new clinical research on adults can be used to argue for a new constructivism of adult…

This paper examines the concept of creativity through the identification of traits and characteristics found in the so-called creative personality. The works on creativity of several scholars and researchers are briefly reviewed, including those by Ellis Paul Torrance, Donald W. MacKinnon, Sarnoff A. Mednick, Paul Heist, Philip Wesley Jackson, and…

Summarizes findings of many studies of personality characteristics and adult-child interaction patterns among the Ojibwa. Points out that most studies were undertaken by non-Indians, and many studies had serious methodological flaws and/or lacked coherent theory. Calls for research to contribute to theory and improve Ojibwa quality of life. (JHZ)