Large numbers of children and young people spend their weekends and holidays engaged in the activities of over 300 surf clubs across Australia each summer. Long term membership in these clubs, beginning from as young as five years of age, forms a significant part of children's and young people's development yet surf clubs have yet to receive…

This multilevel investigation examined the effect of group interaction and its influence on individual-level membership variables and group assimilation. The study is based on a model of group socialization developed by Moreland and Levine (1982) and was modified in this study to investigate the development and maintenance of highly interdependent…

Extending concepts of micro- and macrojustice, three levels of justice are distinguished. Individual-, group-, and inclusive-level justice are defined in terms of the target of justice concerns: one's individual treatment, one's group's treatment, and the distribution in the collective (e.g., nation). Individual-level justice permits a more…

Amateur astronomers regularly serve as informal astronomy educators for their communities. This research inquires into the level of knowledge of basic astronomy concepts among amateur astronomers and examines factors related to amateur astronomy that affect that knowledge. Using the concept questions from the Astronomy Diagnostic Test Version 2,…

This article draws on the sociology of childhood framework in order to examine one primary school girl's account of how the children in her classroom pass notes to each other when they are "not allowed to talk at all". Close examination of the account shows how the girls and boys in this particular classroom co-construct gendered membership…

Although educational leaders may be optimistic about initiating change, lasting reforms are rare. The group polarization literature, although dated, provides an important explanation for a very current problem. The theory holds that when there are differences of opinion to begin with, a counter-conformity effect works among members of groups.…

In this article I explore the ethical terrain of experiential learning activities drawing on my experiences leading college students on field trips into criminal justice settings. Though there are numerous educational benefits to adopting experiential learning activities, the rewards must be evaluated in light of the potential harms to nonstudent…

In this article, the author examines her racial identity and its impact on her interpretation of the schooling experiences of a 10th grade Latina in an ethnographic case study. Prior to this study, the author had been working in a university-based family literacy program where she met Zulmy's mother, Manuela. Due to her experience as a middle…

Public schools are unique environments where the rights and responsibilities of one individual or group can easily, if unintentionally, infringe on the rights and responsibilities of other individuals or groups. This can leave public school employees wondering about the nature and scope of their rights. While it is well established that public…

This manual and workbook for adolescents presents a curriculum promoting self-understanding and understanding the points of view of others in order to resolve conflicts and solve common problems. After a review of problems adolescents face and a discussion of the skills needed to work effectively in a group, the lessons present the following steps…

Suggests that the twin thrusts of a declining job market and pressure for equal employment opportunity have forced a re-examination and in some cases an abandonment of traditional practices of professional placement such as the old boy system. (Author/AM)

A common sexual stereotype, supported by research evidence, is that women are more sociable than men. In studies using standardized measures of social interests, social values, needs for inclusion and acceptance, and the need for affiliation, women nearly always score higher than men. In studies comparing the social skills of women and men, women…

Textbook presentations of Asch's classical research were used as a case example to evaluate whether an anti-group bias exists in social psychology. Ninety-nine textbooks were analyzed to evaluate whether an overemphasis on conformity was presented by textbook descriptions of Asch, and whether independence and resistance to group pressure were…

The use of advisory committees in occupational education is a natural and desirable extension of lay participation in education and an efficient and logical way of keeping programs current. At Hagerstown Junior College (HJC), the primary functions of an advisory committee are to provide advice and counsel regarding the development, maintenance,…

Developed by the Amity (Oregon) School District 4-J (a small, rural farming district consisting of two outlying feeder elementary schools, one elementary school in town, and the high school), the Citizens Advisory Committee Constitution consists of seven sections. Statements by the superintendent and school board chairman regarding the role of the…