The reflective judgment model (RJM) describes the development of complex reasoning in late adolescents and adults, and how the epistemological assumptions people hold are related to the way they make judgments about controversial (ill-structured) issues. This article describes the theoretical assumptions that have guided the development of the RJM…

Describes three issues central to the relationship between counseling and culture: the etic-emit distinction (studying culture on its own terms versus how it compares to others), the sociology of knowledge, and modernity. Emphasizes the importance of these concepts in counselor training programs. (LLL)

Discusses the potential value of feminist poststructuralism to feminist psychologists seeking more satisfactory ways of theorizing gender and subjectivity. Explores the following concepts related to this theoretical perspective: (1) approaches to knowledge; (2) language; (3) discourse; (4) subjectivity; and (5) experience as text. Presents an…

In this analysis of healing and conversion as two of the most notable and persistent traits of the new religious movements in Africa, healing is described as an indigenous religious category within the context of conversion as a modern permutation of African religion. Religious conversion is most strikingly represented in societies where the…

Presents a model of therapy called "system therapy." Discussed epistemology, some basic concepts, stages of the therapeutic process, and the training of system therapists. Proposes and defines a therapeutic system. (Author)

Explores the mathematical abilities of human infants compared with various species of animals. Studies indicate that human infants enter the world capable of doing simple mathematical operations. Nonhuman animals can discriminate among sets of objects based on the number of items in each set. Further studies may pinpoint the age at which children…

Discusses the human trait of attempting to read minds in an attempt to make sense of the actions of others. The term Mindblind comes from the fact that this is difficult for people with autism to do. Mindreading appears to be encoded in the genes and adaptive. (PVD)

Introduces the topic of feminist psychology. Reviews relevant literature regarding bias against women in past research, and discusses each article in the issue. Identifies the common issue of all articles as epistemology: what we can know, how we know, and how the knowledge we have relates to who we are. (JS)

Outlines a conceptual framework, the Reflective Judgement model, which describes predictable differences in the intellectual development of college students. Validation attempts are discussed, and applications leading to sound counseling and educational interventions are suggested. The model is illustrated with an example of a classroom assignment…

Examines the work of feminist theorists in philosophy and politics who are creating new epistemological and theoretical approaches to the history of women teachers. Discusses the ways in which these approaches have been applied to women's history and how they can be employed to illuminate changing ideological views of the schoolteacher. (JS)

Explores the possibility that the lesbian or gay experience in contemporary American society might furnish a standpoint for generating new knowledge in psychology. Considers the following elements that define lesbians' or gay men's ways of knowing and experiencing the world: (1) biculturalism; (2) marginality; and (3) normative creativity. (JS)

One dominant approach to reforming science education implements collaborative approaches to learning. Feminist pedagogy is concerned with transforming both how students learn science and the science curriculum that students are expected to learn. Collaborative approaches serve to reproduce the dominant discourse of existing science systems.…

Questions the phenomenon and the implications of being female in school science through girls' and young women's stories interwoven with a narrative from the author, a female researcher in science education. Discusses several directions within teaching that interpret bell hooks' engaged pedagogy which emphasizes a commitment to self-actualization…

Illustrates integration of multiculturalism into science curriculum and instruction and outlines the principles that should be reflected in multicultural science classrooms. Offers strategies for science teachers in developing science programs, shaping classroom climate, and using learning styles. (PVD)

Summarizes some feminist critiques of science which leads to an investigation of the role that language plays within science. Also explores the ramifications of gendered discourse for the teaching of science and mathematics. Contains 40 references. (Author/PVD)