It has been only in the past decade that autism has been widely recognized among Chinese service providers. As a result, there are few professionals who are trained to treat the disorder. Although efforts are currently under way to determine the prevalence of autism in China, to date there are no reliable data that indicate the magnitude of the…

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between gender identity and relational aggression. Women's relationships are instrumental in the establishment and maintenance of a positive self-concept and identity, yet relational aggression is a common aspect of female friendships. The authors investigated this role conflict, focusing…

Methodological challenges associated with structural equation modeling (SEM) and structured means modeling (SMM) in research on school violence and related topics in the social and behavioral sciences are examined. Problems associated with multiyear implementations of large-scale surveys are discussed. Complex sample designs, part of any…

Discusses ways of reducing violence in America involving the integration of scientific approaches and youth violence intervention and community programs that address both family and social environments. The paper argues that these efforts exemplify the notion that violence is more a product of racism and poverty than of race. (GR)

Discusses a study of the inclusion of crisis intervention training in teacher preparation programs. Reports that, although few teachers receive training as part of coursework, most are expected to perform crisis intervention at some level. Presents findings showing self efficacy improves with short-term training that includes recognition and…

Follows up previous study of social and psychological effects of orthodontic treatment upon children. Reports that teachers' ratings of student attractiveness correlated significantly with judgments of children's sociability, popularity, academic achievement, and leadership. Concludes that teachers' estimations of academic capability was a good…

An increasing amount of research attention is being directed toward the educational experiences of students with profound and multiple disabilities. One technique that has allowed a better understanding of alertness and involvement in members of this population is behavior state assessment. In this study, eight matched pairs of school-aged…

The word "underclass" has become popular, but it is nebulously defined. The focus of discussions on the underclass is not on economics but behavior. The poor are scapegoats for drug problems and the crime rate. The concept of "underclass" ignores the conflict between the dynamic of tokenism and the reality of capitalism. (BJV)

In this overview of his research in personality theory, Cattell describes the play of people, situations, and, ideas enacted over 30 years in his University of Illinois laboratory. Establishing meaningful empirical measurement methods was the foundation for further research into many aspects of personality development. (BS)

Reports two studies carried out in the 1970s and 1980s that examined whether intellectual mastery of the content in a psychology of women course facilitated personal change. Compared students' pretest-posttest scores on gender self-concept, attitudes, and assertiveness. Data indicate positive results, and scores did not change between groups. (NL)

Details findings of research into 17-year-old students' consideration of science-based social issues. Reports that, although sex-based differences appeared in both student questionnaire and discussion responses, differences were far fewer in the discussions. Argues that social factors blur sex differences, making discussion a valuable learning…

Chapter two from V. V. Davydov's "Problems of Developmental Teaching" (1986) is excerpted. Analyzes Piagetian theory, finding it neglects the influence of teaching and child rearing on mental development. Builds from Lev S. Vygotsky's theories to delineate stages in personality and mental development during childhood. (CH)

Presents the fifth chapter ("Learning Activity in the Younger School-age Period") of V. V. Davydov's "Problems of Developmental Teaching," published in 1986. Covers the history of learning activity issues and the content and structuring of learning activity. Argues elementary level developmental teaching should promote a…

In an attempt to devise a methodology for characterizing children's intuitive theories of drug action, 217 children in Grades 1 to 6 were interviewed about how two substances, alcohol and cocaine, cause behavioral changes in their users. Measures tapped both structure (Piagetian complexity of causal reasoning, coherence, and construction of a…

Examines the friendship choices of Northern Ireland adolescents within a planned integrated school, a Protestant desegregated school, and a Catholic desegregated school. Reporting on over 300 middle- and high-school students revealed that in-group bias was the exception rather than the rule. All three schools exhibited similar characteristics.…