The paper considers some issues and events in the life of a music composer, and through review of the lives of 57 composers, attempts to discover constructive and destructive variables. (PHR)

Reviews the career of Prime Minister Thatcher and her participation in the campaign for her election. Identifies the five most salient elements in her image and within the general context of contemporary political communication in Britain: cultural identification, accent and word choice patterns, Tory message, sex, and sense of conviction. (JMF)

Describes the development of an integrative theoretical model of children's fears that provides a comprehensive view of the normal development of fear. Model components are individual characteristics, fear stimuli, arousal, fear, coping, and adaptation. Suggestions for using the model are presented. (Author)

Explores some of the more important changes that are occurring because of the farm crisis and discusses how they affect rural community development needs. Examines (1) characteristics of those failing in agriculture; (2) changes in farm production practices resulting from the crisis; and (3) problems experienced by farmers and farm families. (JOW)

Factors affecting creativity are environment, personality and motivational traits, biographical characteristics, and creative abilities. Creativity stems from both nature and nurture. (SK)

Considers cults as gangs, but also distinguishes cults from gangs by the cult's reference to and insistence on allegiance to single higher authority, usually spirit figure or spiritual leader. Examines Satanism, identifies Satanic holidays and symbols, and describes characteristics of cult-influenced youth. Includes list of organizations and books…

In response to Meara et al.'s (1996) article concerning virtue ethics, asserts that moral virtues are not synonymous with moral ideals. Additionally, because virtue ethics can be community specific, they are also in danger of becoming ethnocentric. Suggests that the promotion of virtue ethics itself poses important unanswered question for the…

Developmental psychologists have been preoccupied with the shape or form of development since the early days of developmental psychology. One of their main concerns has been to specify the developmental function of the characteristics (i.e., behaviors, traits, abilities, processes, etc.) that are of interest to them. This is equivalent to saying…

Responds to Van Hesteren's advocacy of a "human science" orientation, using constructs and analytical methods from phenomenology to enhance methodology. Approves of a philosophy of science and of a self-perspective. Questions the need for complex terminology, Van Hesteren's definition of what constitutes research, quantification, and…

Problems arise when creativity is viewed in terms of personality or cognitive traits considered apart from products produced. The encouragement of high level achievement within particular disciplines and subject matter is suggested to develop creativity. (DF)

Three kinds of athletes are identified: the professional who focuses on objectives that dictate how both mind and body are to act; the idler, an aesthetic being who accepts whatever presents itself; and the true amateurs, private beings who allow a structured situation to determine how they will express themselves. (MLW)

Presents an expanded definition of creativity consisting of four modes (subconscious, imagistic, cognitive, and actualizing); four dimensions of a sequence of developmental skills (perceiving, affecting, intellecting, and responding); and four processes (fluency, flexibility, elaboration, and originality). Two guidelines for increasing students'…

Eight criteria for judging professional status are reviewed and related to teachers. Concludes that teachers are schoolroom craftspeople. (LRA)

An interview with an outstanding teacher reveals an innovative discipline policy as well as methods for motivating low-achieving students. (LH)

Reviews the history of language aptitude tests in the U.S., examines the notion of aptitude in general, and attempts to answer the question of whether the notion of "language aptitude" is a valid one. (AM)