America's era of expansion is over. The limitless frontier which served as a safety valve for our social tensions is gone and we now must find new national goals. To do this we need a new kind of thinking, not abstract intellectualization but commitment to human service. (SJL)

The emphasis in gifted programs should be on the interests and needs of the students, rather than on preparing them to perform some social function, such as solving world problems, which require commitment of everyone rather than necessarily requiring intelligence and technology. This approach places unrealistic expectations on gifted students and…

This study examined permanence of training given to preschool children for solving their interpersonal problems. Preliminary assessment after training showed a significant improvement in problem-solving abilities. However, evaluation completed 1 year later showed a decreased score on the test, suggesting that the preschoolers needed continuous…

A speech by Chancellor Donna E. Shalala of the University of Wisconsin, Madison, is presented; it calls for a broadening university commitment to societal issues and for the university to engage in basic research on social policy issues in a fashion similar to the fundamental science and technology research currently undertaken. The lecture…

Future studies are an holistic approach to problem solving, examining interrelationships and interdependence of events. They establish a broad conceptual framework within which planning can occur in an extended time frame. Examples include model building, game theory, trend extrapolation, and normative planning. (BP)

This document describes a university-related program to teach social problem solving skills to sixth graders at a predominantely black middle school, which evolved to become a systems linkage intervention. The development of the Social Problem Solving program (SPS) is discussed. The following stages are included: entry into the school system,…

This book comprises case studies in the areas where business expertise can be applied in solving urban problems. These include employment, training, social problems, economic development, financial support, maintenance and order, local government modernization, and technological solutions to urban problems. An analytical chapter which follows each…

The three problems approaches outlined for an introductory, interdisciplinary course provide opportunities to apply the methodological tools and perspectives of the social studies. Organization of each course, advantages and disadvantages, unique objectives, approaches, and methodology for a social problem approach, case study approach, and a…

The author discusses findings of a content analysis of readers and texts on social problems and identifies questions raised by the task force which performed the analysis. The purpose of the study was to ascertain the nature of social problems courses and to determine if such courses are appropriate as undergraduate "first courses" instead of…

Laws and regulations which are the arms of the law, have become solution surrogates, substitutes for mutual citizen and community interaction toward problem identification and resolution. The time is ripe to discourage the passage of more legislation and to encourage the recision of some. (Author)

Maintains that most current descriptions of reflective inquiry portray Dewey's model incorrectly as a series of individual steps to be mastered in a procedural fashion. Offers an alternative approach to reflective inquiry grounded in a critical theory of education. (JDH)

Discusses use of simulation/role playing to help students understand unfamiliar, controversial situations and practice decision making in a nonthreatening context. Essential steps in simulation/role playing, four actual simulation/role playing situations, and their learning outcomes are described, and information sources for further information on…

Suggesting that using children's literature as a tool for problem solving is a meaningful way for teachers to understand and help children with problems, this Digest claims that through the exploration of stories, discussion, and reflections on their own experiences, children can begin to perceive the complexities of the world in which they live.…

Argues that since desired social development is at least an implicit aim of educational institutions, it is necessary for teachers to be instructed in the art of social problem solving including emphasis on self management, cognitive dissonance, affiliation, power parity and behavioral modification. (Author/JM)

Histories of alcohol use and of alcohol education indicate that the teaching of responsible drinking for those who choose to drink is a more relevant model of alcohol education. (JN)