Describes a project designed to reach low-income, multiproblem families, utilizing couples therapy in the home. Reviews major characteristics of multiproblem families. Emphasized therapeutic techniques based on modeling, role playing, and demonstration. Designed tasks which increased the individual and couple functioning of spouses. Reinforced…

Reviews literature on effects of being imitated and the social influence function of imitation, plus related literature on conformity from social psychology. Considers this research within a number of theoretical contexts, especially within the conceptual framework of effectance motivation. Suggests imitation may facilitate mastery and control of…

Social sensitivity is discussed as a factor in effective teaching and an investigation, using microteaching, is described. A high degree of correspondence was found between the teacher's standing on social sensitivity and students' and experts' reactions to them and their teaching performance. (Editor/SJL)

Study reports data on the acquisition of knowledge about astronomy in children from India, and the cosmological models they construct. Found that Indian children's cosmologies honor a variety of implicit assumptions governing the construction of initial cosmological models and that folk models are also incorporated to provide a psychologically…

Presents guidelines for developing computer-assisted instructional materials that are based on theoretical instructional theories, including behaviorism; neobehaviorism (imitation and modeling); information processing; cognitive psychology; and learning styles. Guidelines highlight feedback and reinforcement, practice opportunities, sequencing,…

Describes a Chinese lesson during which the techniques for playing the yang-ch'in are taught. Discusses why Chinese teachers use rote instruction in music lessons and why they use poetry and nonmusical scenes as indicators of music's expressiveness. Compares this method of utilizing imitation with U.S. teaching techniques and relates it to…

Points out situations in which teachers do not model constitutional principles. Urges that teachers practice democratic values in the classroom to help students learn the value of democratic principles and develop an appreciation for such principles. Recommends the brochure, "Constitutional Concepts for Future Teachers," to develop a…

Low-achieving students were taught to complete a resume and improved their ability to complete an application form to a level comparable to average-achieving peers through a group counseling program. Components of the program and examination of an intervention using program materials are presented. Educational implications and plans for future…

Utilizes findings from two studies to discuss the effectiveness of role modeling as an instructional strategy in business management education. Suggests that, while the first study did not show a significantly beneficial effect of role modeling, some elements of the second did. Survey instruments are included. (17 citations) (MAB)

Assesses the effectiveness of teaching metacognitive thinking strategies through modeling to college students. Compares the reading test performance of students who had the strategies modeled to them, of students who only had the strategies taught to them, and of control group students. Teaching the strategies without modeling was ineffective.…

This study of two primary-grade students with learning disabilities and behavior problems found that an instructional package incorporating videotaped self-assessment, self-modeling, discrimination training, and behavioral rehearsal helped the children acquire cooperative classroom behaviors and generalize and maintain those behaviors. (Author/JDD)

Assigned 48 junior high school students screened for unassertive school behavior to social skills training groups which included modeling only, instructions only, modeling and instructions, and control. Found significant improvements in self-reported assertion and in assertive school behavior for training groups. Trained students were able to…

Children's discourse with peers was examined in relation to speaker gender, partner gender, and age level. Girls' and boys' communication patterns were more similar than different, but gender-related differences with medium to large effect sizes were found. Findings are interpreted in terms of developmental and contextual accounts of gender and…

A "social guide" model was used to teach staff of an apartment-based residential program to use a set of "community network strategies" to improve the social relationships of three women with severe or moderate mental retardation. The intervention resulted in increased size of participants' social networks and more frequent social integration…

This theory-based article describes how data analysis tools, simulations, and modeling software, when used in the proper instructional contexts, provide young learners with rich intellectual environments for inquiry in science learning. Highlights include inquiry learning; abilities of learners; and the integration of technology within classroom…