Investigates the influence of social reinforcement, modeling, direct reinforcement, and words and images on the acquisition of career-related preferences. Students identified social reinforcement as the most important antecedent for their career preference. Career decision making skills mediate the influence of models and direct reinforcement on…

The author outlines ways to integrate work identity and social identity in order to improve the quality of life. He presents a model for maintaining balance between personal and professional growth, which can stimulate achievement in six areas of human potential. (SK)

The utility of personality measures as predictors of voluntary withdrawal from college was investigated. Four criterion groups were formed: high-achieving persisters and withdrawals, and low-achieving persisters and withdrawals. Two significant discriminant functions were found and interpreted as academic aptitude and social immaturity. (Author/GK)

Results indicated that Ss in the vocational training class were superior to the other two groups in social maturity and career attitudes. Additionally, significant differences in social maturity and career attitudes were found among the three learning disabled groups. (Author/SBH)

Examines important behaviors and changes through which adolescents establish their autonomy. Concludes that high school students' drive for autonomy incorporates: (1) growth in behavioral autonomy from parents; (2) increased emotional autonomy from friends; and (3) the development of "grown up" identity through commission of status offenses that…

The study compared the cognitive, affective, and perceptual role taking skills of 38 learning disabled (LD) children (ages 5 to 8) with those of a control group of normal children. Ss were administered three role taking tasks which measured their skills in each of the domains. The results demonstrated a role taking deficit in the LD children.…

Discusses why challenges to materials in school libraries cannot be avoided. Demonstrates how reader response theory, the multiple readings of text, makes self-censorship difficult. Explains how "censorproofing" by title, author/artist, and subject ignores reader unpredictability and maturity levels. Finds all school libraries vulnerable…

Investigated beliefs about feeling the stares of an unseen other. Found that most adults and young children believed they could feel the unseen stares of another, and across age there were some increases in beliefs about the feeling. Participants believed that in order to feel stares, some cognitive maturity was required. (MOK)

This study examined implicit theories of immaturity among 345 Canadian sixth- and ninth-graders. Qualitative analysis of adolescents' descriptions of an immature peer revealed six foci to implicit theories of immaturity. The majority of adolescents' descriptions focused on childlike behaviors, silly/goofy behaviors, or on mean/hurtful behaviors.…

Examined effects of early physical maturation and accelerated pubertal changes on symptoms of major depression among 639 African American adolescents. Found that for girls, early maturation was consistently associated with elevated levels of depressive symptoms. For boys, early maturers showed elevated depression only at age 11, with symptoms…

A literature review identified characteristics of transition programs that were described in 33 refereed journal articles between 1986-1999. Results confirm that students with more severe learning and behavioral difficulties receive inadequate transition services; programs emphasize employment competencies over living skills; and there are few…

Traces the legal history of prayer clubs and related religious activities in schools. Cites psychological arguments that high school students are generally independent and capable of critical thinking; contends that research is needed in determining whether high school students can specifically perceive religious neutrality. (MLF)

The controversy between Margaret Mead and Derek Freeman about Mead's work (1928) on coming of age in Samoa in the 1920s is analyzed. Freeman's claim to have refuted Mead's findings can be easily refuted itself. Mead's study, arguing that adolescent turmoil is not universal, stands the test of time. (SLD)

Cognitive, emotional, and relational characteristics among 10 peer-nominated master therapists were identified through qualitative-research methods. Analysis produced a set of nine characteristics that are found in master therapists. Findings suggest that researchers studying therapist expertise may want to explore emotional and relational…