A study was conducted in two desegregated high schools in order to test Sherif's theory that intergroup conflict can be eliminated when the groups strive for superordinate goals. The specific question examined in the study was: To what extent do members of an ethnic group enlarge their conception of their own in-group to include members of another…

Competition in sport and physical education programs has been used to motivate the learning of skills, increase physical fitness, and to create environments purportedly conducive to the development of desirable personality qualities. However, the way in which competition is conceptualized is of great importance. In direct competition, achievement…

Based on existing theory and research on cooperation and competition and on process studies of group decision making, a two-part study was conducted on the communication patterns in four groups of college students. In the first part of the study groups one and three were induced to behave competitively and groups two and four were induced to…

This is one of several papers presented at a Federal Trade Commission Symposium on Media Concentration. It describes one journalist's experience owning a free newspaper in the Richmond, Indiana, area and meeting competition when the local daily newspaper was purchased by a chain. It is suggested that methods of curtailing print competition in the…

This study explores the effects of controlling influence attempts on social face and constructive conflict resolution. It also investigates the role of social face in how persons respond to evaluations by their peers. A sample of 90 college undergraduates randomly assigned to six conditions. The group's evaluation of the representative's relative…

Student ratings of classroom social environments were related to absenteeism rates and average final grades. Classes with high absenteeism rates were seen as high in competition and teacher control and low in teacher support. Classes in which teachers gave higher average grades were seen as high in involvement and low in teacher control.…

Given the highly visible character of intercollegiate athletics, there is a dangerous confusion about who makes decisions, suggests this university president. It ought to be the president, with the board's backing, who deals with intercollegiate programs, including financing women's athletics and breaking down all sports into levels of emphasis,…

Examines the effect of the proportion of women administrators on both men's and women's salaries in colleges and universities. Identifies four theoretical predictors: economic competition and crowding, demographic group power, group interaction, and institutionalization. Increasing the proportion of women actually decreases salaries for both…

As research equipment becomes more sophisticated and expensive, and as the number of scientists and engineers choosing academic careers shrinks, the start-up costs for recruiting researchers are skyrocketing. The cost typically includes money to provide equipment, facilities, and support needed to set up laboratories and begin research. (MLW)

Defines incremental product development and discusses how this style of innovation effects technology industries. Cites examples of Japanese competition which emphasizes quality and speed in product development. Makes recommendations for the improvement of product development in the United States. (CW)

The fourth-year courses selected by the classes of 1982 and 1986 in the Brown University Program in Medicine were compared. The data support the contention that medical students' perception that residency positions were more difficult to obtain led to changes in selecting courses in the fourth year of medical school. (Author/MLW)

The family-school relationship was analyzed using an ecological/systemic model incorporating an ethnographic perspective. Five family-school relationship patterns were examined: avoidant, competitive, merged, one-way, and collaborative. Case studies were included to describe the patterns and illustrate strategies for changing dysfunctional…

Teaching hospitals are caught between two modi operandi of the 1980s--cost containment and competition. The major area of conflict faced by medical school faculty are the demands of clinical practice and research. Medical students originally motivated by idealistic concerns are seduced by the specialties and subspecialties. (MLW)

Many of the issues concerning assessment in higher education are really issues of values, philosophy, and theory, rather than practical, nuts-and-bolts issues. Excellence as the development of human talent, competition or cooperation, outcomes, and improving assessment practices are discussed. (MLW)