This article presents an interview with Allan Wigfield, professor and chair of the Department of Human Development and distinguished scholar-teacher at the University of Maryland. He has authored more than 100 peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters on children's motivation and other topics. He is a fellow of Division 15 (Educational…

Anglican school inspectors will usually be Christian. Is it possible that their beliefs might compromise their inspection judgements? Neutrality is impossible when holding opinions or making judgements about matters of signal importance. Religious beliefs are strongly held. Using the concept of "ordinary theology" I argue that religious beliefs…

This article discusses an approach to teacher belief systems which casts an eye away from cognitive constructs toward sociological constructs to complement existing ideas about the nature and genesis of beliefs. I offer some theoretical ideas for extending the notion of beliefs and describe two contrasting senior mathematics teachers,…

Identifies six major factors that exerted influence on the decision-making process that led to the launch of the space shuttle, Challenger, on January 28, 1986. Concludes that decision to launch Challenger resulted from complex interplay among a number of cognitive, psychological, and social forces constituting the decision environment. (Author/NB)

Discusses a study of Blacks who shifted from exclusive use of modern orthodox medical care to use of an alternative natural system of health care known as naprapathy. Suggests that conversion to regular use of naprapathy involves a sequential, dynamic, and reflective experiential process. (Author/MJL)

Discusses attacks in utopian fiction on the commonplace, or belief, which is based on assumptions that are accepted without discussion or question. Notes the importance of commonplaces in society's routines and feels challenges to them cause painful and uncomfortable self-criticism. Uses William Dean Howell's "A Travel from Altruria" in…

The first in a series of three reports on philosophy of human existence focuses on human activity in the economic context, or more specifically, the role of the entrepreneur. A variety of treatments of entrepreneurship in the literature of economics and cognitive psychology are examined, and it is found that analyses of entrepreneurship are…

This article contends that Charles Sanders Peirce (1839-1914) may enhance our understanding of educational beliefs and that Peirce's logic may be a tool to distinguish between a dogmatic and a pragmatic justification of such beliefs. The first part of the article elaborates on Peirce's comprehension of beliefs as mediated, socially situated and…

This paper takes issue with the arguments of S. Miller and M. Fredericks that postpositivist philosophy and concepts like incommensurability are irrelevant or of little value to educational research. It is argued that theory cannot be detached from practice and incommensurability is more than a matter of abstract concepts. (SLD)

While sitting on a bench outside the university's museum grappling with his own emotional numbness and inability to comprehend the traumatic events of 9-11, John Wittman watched a group of 4 students circling one of the main buildings on campus with an American flag on the back of the roll bar of a truck. Having thought about the flag-waving…

Reflects on areas influencing child formation most: home-based activities, school, and the children's social world and their interaction within the community. Explains how parents can establish and teach the primary values that coincide with each of these areas of child development. (VWC)

This article uses discourse theory in arguing that learning disabilities, by explaining several contradictions and anomalies of schooling, function to sustain dominant assumptions of schooling and society and to maintain inequitable distribution of social goods. Educators are urged to actively confront the inequities of schooling and society.…

Discusses (1) the applicability of cross-cultural research, particularly Kohlberg's model, for Africa; (2) close connections in Africa among religion, morality, and life; (3) the nature of the ethos and worldview that shape Africans' moral beliefs; (4) elements of a model of moral/ethics construction; and (5) limitations of the study. (DSK)

To help clients increase career success and life satisfaction, counselors can elicit and examine clients' concepts about work and love. If client's personal meanings conflict with social meaning of work and love, counselors can link client beliefs to client's career concerns, provoking cognitive dissonance that motivates client to modify beliefs.…

Examines alternatives to the technical orientation of the Ralph Tyler rationale of curriculum planning. Emphasizes the fact that the language and processes of curriculum planning are embedded in metaphysical, philosophical, and moral concerns. Advocates using religious metaphors in models of curriculum planning and discusses how planners' values…