This small action research study (ARS) began with a review of the literature examining the relationship of gangsta rap in regards to academic achievement, self-esteem, decision-making, identity issues and development of young African American males. The purpose of the ARS was to examine the correlation between gangsta rap and its influence on 5th…

This report defines the concept of identification, presents results of Scandinavian mass communications research studying children's identification with the content of mass media, reviews research in this area, and indicates directions for future research. Two types of identification study are reviewed: those which studied the type of child who…

The adolescent's exploration of himself and his relationship to other individuals, as well as the interaction between the social and physical environment and his own behavior are among the goals of the Identity Unit. The unit infuses these objectives with the cognitive components of a junior-senior English literature curriculum. This guide offers…

This study builds on Erik Erikson's "Identity: Youth and Crisis," and describes in detail what social possibilities the adolescent usually considers when cognitively searching the environment, and describes how the understanding of the possibilities enhances or thwarts identity formation. (Author/KC)

Summarized is a therapy approach utilizing characterizations designed to help the client reduce his neurotic behaviors and develop his true potentials. Growing up, he may have been forced to reject aspects of his personality to meet others' expectations. Thus, he is not integrated or whole. To reduce the control used to hide his rejected parts of…

Clinicians and researchers are beginning to acknowledge the importance of integrating a developmental perspective into the understanding of clinical disorders. Major gaps still exist between basic research on attachment processes and clinical issues regarding mental disorders. Reflecting growth in this direction, National Institute of Mental…

A strong majority of clinically distressed individuals are insecure with respect to attachment, and special vulnerabilities are appearing in disorganized-disoriented children. Relations to behavior genetics, family interaction patterns, psychophysiology, and treatment outcome studies are emerging or are anticipated. Discusses these and other…

Reviews conceptual background on atypical patterns of early attachments, including basic theoretical terms and constructs of attachment theory; the nature and function of the original classification system; notions of "exceptional cases" or "atypical patterns"; and implications of atypicality for both a classification system of attachment behavior…

Delineates Sigmund Freud's theories of symbolic relations, Jean Piaget's theories of cognitive development, and Eric Erickson's concept of identity crisis to analyze and explain the characteristics and phenomena of adolescent development. Suggests roles and tasks for teachers and parents in promoting healthy development. (WL)

Presents the behavioral diversity "win-win" model that teaches individuals to discover powerful insights about themselves and others. Providing a clearer understanding of the unique characteristics of individuals, the model also provides a basis for comprehending the behavior of others, enabling people to achieve positive outcomes from…

The intense striving for power which characterizes much of male behavior occurs inevitably as part of the process of gender acquisition and consequently contributes to a sense of psychological vulnerability in the male personality. Masculine and feminine attributes develop spontaneously from young children's tendencies to compare themselves to…

Age trends in conformity and independence, using a sample of 366 children from the 1st, 4th, 7th, and 10th grades were investigated. Three types of stimuli were used: (1) visual judgments; (2) opinion statements; and (3) delay of gratification preferences. Age-trends were observed for unanimous peer pressure, adult influence, and peer pressure…

A study was conducted to investigate whether: (1) children's preferences for activities vary as a function of the cultural stereotypes to which they are exposed; (2) children's perception of appropriate activities for females and males vary as a function of the cultural stereotypes to which they are exposed; and (3) the degree of differences…

Examined differences in self-reported psychiatric symptomatology on the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 according to the Adult Attachment Interview in first-time mothers from a high-risk poverty sample. Different symptom patterns were consistent with adult attachment status as an index of self-representation and as a set of…

One technique for helping children adjust to changing role models is bibliotherapy--the use of children's books to facilitate identification with and exploration of sex role behavior. Confronted with change in various social systems, particularly the family, children are faced with conflicts concerning their sex role development. The process…