Sociological research on job satisfaction among civilian workers is reviewed for possible implications for Naval manpower policy. The methodological and conceptual assumptions of civilian studies are examined. The variety of measurement used, and some ambiguity of terminology are discussed in relation to the usefulness of these studies for Naval…

While the usefulness of branched testing over conventional paper-and-pencil testing has been in doubt, particularly for the student of average ability, this has been with reference to normative measures rather than the criterion-referenced measures characteristic of individualized instruction. A computer-assisted test model for assessing an…

The eight papers in the report are tied together by the theme of pluralism and social change in an attempt to determine information needs in the area of inservice teacher education (ISTE) and to identify the contemporary issues surrounding ISTE. The first three papers describe case studies of substantial efforts in inservice education: a…

Presents a theoretical framework for designing computer-based systems that guide students in learning strategy selection; compares theories for determining when system-assigned strategies will promote knowledge and skill acquisitions; reviews relationship between learning and instructional strategies; and outlines potential applications of…

Presents evidence to establish that instructional technology applications often result in transfer of training failures, which are attributed to inappropriate mixing of behaviorist and cognitive instructional design models. Specific suggestions are made for instructional design prescriptions that support different levels of transfer for different…

The paper presents a matrix describing a conceptual framework for a career development education program which values individual differences and leads to economic visibility for all persons. The matrix is intended to guide career educators as they deal with individual differences in program development and delivery. (MF)

This article contrasts two traditions in American education affecting gifted education: Hamiltonian elitism and Jacksonian egalitarianism. It recommends instead the Jeffersonian tradition of equality of opportunity but not necessarily of outcome. Discussion is in the context of saving funding for gifted education despite the negative impact of…

Thirty-two preadolescents were observed in a longitudinal study of attachment and subsequent social development, and case studies of four friendship pairs were conducted. Findings suggest a process model of friendship formation based on repetition of infant attachment history in establishing children's preadolescent friendships. Proposes a 3-stage…

Data from the 1980 Public Use Microdata Sample D for 16- to 18-year-old youths living with their parents are used to construct a model of youth labor force participation, incorporating household, local economic, and individual variables. Findings suggest the significant effects of household structural characteristics and family resources. (SLD)

The Coursework Cluster Analysis Model, a new analytical technique linking college curriculum to student achievement gains, can be used to identify effective general education course sequences for different student ability levels. This can help overcome the fragmentation associated with general education and enhance undergraduate study for a…

Models of working memory were compared in 2 experiments as means of explaining variance in the comprehension of 95 skilled and 80 learning-disabled readers from grades 4 through 7. Results suggest that learning-disabled children's working memory problems are functionally related to higher order processes and not memory alone. (SLD)

Tested model relating girls' pubertal timing to mothers' history of psychopathology, mediated by family discord and father absence/stepfather presence. Found that mothers' history of mood disorders predicted earlier daughters' puberty, with the relation fully mediated by dyadic stress and biological father absence. Stepfather presence best…

Presents two chain-of-choices models, one for adoptive parents and one for birth parents and adoptees, as possible frameworks within which to consider the role of individual differences, choices, and selections in understanding the process of adoption and adoption outcomes. Discusses the research and practice implications following from the…

One hundred forty fourth graders were asked to solve proportion problems about juice-mixing situations both before and after an intervention that used a manipulative model or other materials in three experiments. Results indicate different approaches appear to be necessary to facilitate children's proportional reasoning, depending on the reasoning…

Although deficits in visual attention are often postulated as an important component of many declines in cognitive processing and functional outcomes in older adults, surprisingly little emphasis has been placed on evaluating psychometric instruments with which individual differences in visual attention ability can be assessed. This article…