Describes projects intended to integrate competitive strategies, develop research skills, increase problem-solving ability, and foster a closer link with the apparel industry: the design of children's wear using computer-aided design technology and a project using the Functional Design Process. (Author/JOW)

Apparel industry representatives (n=12) and apparel program faculty (n=17) used Q methodology to identify industry skill needs. Most industry representatives thought strong affective skills were most important for design professionals. Nearly half the educators thought that cognitive attributes were most important. (Contains 18 references.) (SK)

Examined the influence of victim dress, perceiver gender, situational relevance, and personal relevance on attributions of responsibility for date rape by 632 college students. Attributions of responsibility were significantly influenced by perceiver gender and victim dress. Discusses implications for attribution theory and practical implications,…

Investigated the impact of therapist attire and seating arrangement on observers' perceptions of a therapist's attractiveness, expertise, and trustworthiness. Undergraduates (N=233) listened to an audiotaped interview while viewing a slide presentation. The casual attire/no desk setting elicited the highest attraction ratings, mediated by the…

Studied evaluative dimensions of how recruiters and future employees (students) view the importance of appearance. Examined differences of focus (students versus recruiters), sex, and occupational area. Respondents recognized appearance as an influence on an individual's effectiveness. Generally, extreme styles were deemed unacceptabe. (Author/RC)

Lack of space became a problem when the university bookstore moved into its new quarters; more space was needed to meet the demand for clothing and secretarial supplies. A student record store was purchased and electronic gear including stereos, tape recorders, electronic calculators, etc., were added to the inventory. (MLW)

Summarizes the 451 titles of theses and dissertations completed in family and consumer sciences in 34 colleges and universities in 2001, by institution and subject matter. Includes a list of titles categorized as follows: art/design, child development, clothing/apparel, general, family relations, resource management, foods, housing, hospitality…

Explored possible gender differences in clothes-shopping behavior among adolescents. Findings from 387 college students revealed that: parents financially assisted sons and daughters equally; there was no gender difference in shopping frequency; mothers more frequently shopped with sons than with daughters; fathers rarely shopped with any…

Educational programs are continually seeking ways to encourage students' independence, personal growth, and self-directed learning. Graduates should enter the fashion industry with the ability to engage in lifelong learning in order to ensure competence in professional practice. Competition experiences help students to achieve these goals. The…

To examine older women's appearance self-perceptions, a study surveyed two groups of older and younger subjects. The control group consisted of 93 female undergraduate students at a state university in West Virginia. The test group consisted of 85 non-institutionalized females aged 55 to 93, from senior centers, craft groups, church groups, and…

A study examined the influence of the color of an individual's clothing and hair on the feelings and attitudes of others. Subjects, 246 college students, were shown 20 slides, one at a time, and asked to answer 15 questions for each slide. The slides were of four magazine models, two male, two female, with one blonde and one brunette of each sex.…

Initial impressions of a counselor's credibility and attractiveness may affect the development of rapport as well as client attrition. Recent research has focused on contextual clues in the counseling setting which may influence client perceptions. The effects of counselor attire and the seating arrangement were examined in a counseling analogue…

Twenty-three female students, enrolled in the Apparel Construction and Fitting course at West Virginia University, were evaluated to determine whether the ability of the students to perform basic mathematical skills is related to performance in a clothing construction course. Educational implications of the results are discussed. (CT)

The use of colors in tassels and hood trimmings to signify the subject areas of degrees is discussed, and variations in this practice are described. Whether the color of the hood trimming should indicate the major subject studied or the subject area incorporated in the title of the degree is debated. (MLW)

Examined effects and relative contribution of three counselor behaviors (nonverbal behavior, jargon, and attire) on perceived expertise and attractiveness. Results revealed that all three independent variables significantly affected the two rated dimensions. Nonverbal behavior accounted for most of the variance and differentially affected ratings…