This study investigated the hypothesis that sex biases (defined as disproportionate references to one sex) in a reading passage and on a comprehension test would lead to differential performance by 120 male and female undergraduates. An analysis of variance revealed no significant main effects or interactions. (Author/CTM)

Identifies developments in U.S. history in which religion played a decisive role. Investigates the way these religious forces were dealt with in 10 high school U.S. history textbooks used in Alabama. Concludes that they ignored or distorted the place of religion to the extent that students are denied knowledge of recent historical research. (LS)

Criticizes the prevalence of trivial and noninformative content in two primary grade social studies expanding environment textbook series. Extends earlier study, adding three additional analytical categories to its framework. To teach citizenship effectively, recommends (1) eliminating redundant, superfluous, and text-inappropriate content; (2)…

The "Garcia-Armstrong Matrix System" provides specific instructions for evaluating the way textbooks depict ethnic/minority groups. The matrix is formed by evaluating individual sentences for their references to the activity or passivity of the target group and to the status of the target group in relation to other groups named in the same…

The first essay in this publication reports on an assessment of the way Asian culture is portrayed in nearly 300 textbooks in common use in the United States. The assessment revealed that the texts fail to represent Asia fairly; the most serious problems are the underlying, purely Western yardsticks with which the majority of the texts approach…

Content analysis of American government textbooks published in the post-McCarthy and post-Watergate eras demonstrates that, although underlying interpretations of constitutional issues remained constant, the overall textbook presentations shifted. This finding highlights the danger of overemphasizing current events, distorting overall presentation…

Using content analysis, presents a study of 14 U.S. history textbooks. Analyzes textbook treatment of the Declaration of Independence, the atomic bomb, and the Holocaust. Examines nontextual materials. Finds errors of omission, boring writing styles, and a basic similarity between the textbooks. (RW)

Students are exposed to a curriculum that primes both males and females for a sexist society. Picture books are the first reading materials to which young children are exposed. An analysis of award winning children's books reveals negative associations about being female. Sex role stereotyping is already operative at the prereading and early…

These critiques of a high school American government textbook, "American Government in Action," (Resnik and Nerenberg, 1973) represent the first in a series of studies designed to assess the effectiveness of social science textbooks in communicating and reinforcing Western values. The critiques are followed by a response by the authors of the…

Considers the ubiquitous use of textbooks in social studies classrooms and recommends constructing critical-thinking exercises revealing textual bias. Suggested exercises concern issues of emotional or ambiguous language, geographic and cultural inclusion/exclusion, and accuracy of data. Includes several examples of critical-thinking activities.…

Fourteen middle- and high-school curricula published over 10 years were examined via a content analysis instrument. Little difference occurred in noun and pronoun usage within curriculum texts. Illustrations were scarce but showed greater female representation. There were differences in gender representations according to topic. (SM)

Reports results on an analysis of five seventh grade life science textbooks for sexist language, images, and curricular content. Authors conclude that sexist language and images exist in these textbooks. The content of all of the books contained a relatively low level of integration of achievements of women scientists and a lack of information…

This document reports on an investigation focusing on how the content of introductory college psychology texts' content related to physical attractiveness and self-esteem. The primary objective of this study was to review how recently published life-span developmental texts present physical development in middle childhood as related to traditional…

Reaction of educators to court decision in "Mozert v. Hawkins County" should be tempered with common sense and flexibility. In his research on basal readers and textbooks, Paul Vitz found a distorted presentation of family life, neglect of the role of religion in contemporary American life, and neglect of patriotism, business, labor, and…

An analysis of elementary social studies textbook series showed that the images presented in the texts do not equate with the reality that most Australians experience. A more realistic approach to teaching about Australia would be to examine the lifestyles of urban Australians. Possible ways of doing this are discussed. (RM)