This article briefly reviews some of the psychological research literature defining and assessing creativity, and examines such questions as: (1) Does creativity simply emerge as the expression of the genius of a gifted elite? (2) Can it be taught? If so, how? (3) What conditions foster creativity? (4) Is it related to intelligence and academic…

The Minnesota Teacher Attitude Inventory (MTAI) and the Sixteen Personality Factors Questionnaire (16PF) were administered to 395 undergraduate teachers-in-training. The MTAI and the 16PF contained three related factors accounting for 41 percent of their total variance. It was concluded that teachers' attitudes toward their pupils are determined…

College-age subjects (N=26) were given a spelling test during which approximately half could ask for help from a child, the rest from a same-aged adult. Though both helpers were presented as equally competent spellers, subjects asked for help less frequently from the child than from the adult. (Author)

The authors discuss the cultural relativism of enuresis and the subsequent notion that urinary incontinence may not be a disease or psychopathy, but, rather, a problem associated with social expectations and developmental delays. (Author)

Notes that family therapists may focus on systematic aspects of problems, inadvertently neglecting children's individual issues. Presents ways in which family therapists make use of a psychodynamic understanding of the child's issues while continuing to employ brief, action-oriented intervention strategies. Crucial to the approach described is the…

Two experiments examined the determinants of children's belief or disbelief of statements made to them by other children. In both, the personal characteristics of the child transmitting the message were varied against message type and age of child receiving the message; transmitter characteristics were relative age and social dominance. (RH)

This paper compares the early life, background, and education of Jean Piaget and Lev Vygotsky. It makes the case that an adaptation of the curve developed by C. Quigley can be used to trace the motivations of both Piaget and Vygotsky in creating their respective theories. The analysis also reveals the adversity that each man faced. Although they…

This fact sheet answers general questions about Marfan syndrome, a heritable condition that affects the connective tissue. It describes the characteristics of the disorder, the diagnostic process, and ways to manage symptoms. Characteristics include: (1) people with Marfan syndrome are typically very tall, slender, and loose jointed; (2) more than…

This report discusses the outcomes of a study that examined the beliefs concerning the moral and religious development of individuals with mental retardation. Forty-four individuals who met the criteria of professionals who provide direct care to, or had administrative responsibility for, individuals with mental retardation participated in the…

Reports existing practices for describing samples of children in the psychological literature, indicates the problems involved, and recommends specific changes. (Author/JM)

The influence of the family on the personality development of pre-adolescent youth is discussed. (CK)

Recently endorsed definitions of learning disabilities presume that the disability is due to central nervous system dysfunction. To identify those children who should receive a comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation, an effective approach to neuropsychological screening is needed. Provides a rationale and conceptual framework for development…

Using extensive, multifaceted observational and interview data from the Family Socialization and Developmental Competence Project (FSP), this paper examines the claims that androgynes, by comparison with sex-typed individuals, are more effective persons and parents. (Author/RH)

Panel data on children's friendship choices are used in this paper to investigate the effects of sex, race, and academic achievement on the formation of new friendships and on the stability of existing friendships. (Author/EB)

A study validated the use of a structured parent interview regarding emotional, behavioral, and physical symptoms by comparing results among 22 sexually abused boys whose perpetrator confessed, 47 boys evaluated in a sexual abuse clinic but without a history of perpetrator confession, and 52 nonabused boys (ages 3-15). (Author/CR)