This paper presents a theory of individual differences in teachers' evaluation of student composition, which is based on the notion that certain formulations of writers in various disciplines--such as literary criticism, philosophy, and psychology--can provide a basis for understanding. Sources tapped include, among others, the following titles:…

Item data from two scales of the Ohio Vocational Interest Survey were used to investigate the relationship between item-favorability and sex bias. Item-response data, item sex group interaction data, and item-total score correlational data were examined. It was found that item-favorability was not a suitable criterion for the identification of…

Continuous self-monitoring (CSM) was compared with a demand characteristics control condition (non self-monitoring), with intermittent self-monitoring (ISM) and with another control condition. It was predicted that both self-monitoring conditions would produce effects over and above the demand characteristics inherent in the self-monitoring…

The results of five studies into the characteristics of wrong answers as a class of divergent behavior are presented. The evidence from these studies, when taken in combination, suggests that the tendency of researchers to ignore wrong answers has been a fundamental procedural error of broad scope and serious consequences. Instead of the straight…

Determines the relationship of sex, answer-changing incidence, and total score to net changes in total score resulting from changing answers, by examining the answer-changing behavior of graduate students responding to achievement test items. (Author/RC)

Sociology students were administered two Thurstone-type attitude scales under two conditions (with or without a "cannot decide" option), and a measure of ambiguity tolerance. The "cannot decide" option was used by a slight majority of students when available, but usage was not related to ambiguity tolerance. (Author/JKS)

Seven autistic, seven Down's syndrome, and seven normal children of approximately the same mental age were trained on a single dimension, simultaneous match-to match problem. The results suggest that Down's syndrome, and not autistic children suffer from additional deficits. (Author/KC)

Discusses the use of the Interactive Computer-based Testing (ICBT) in university-level science courses as an effective and economical educational tool. The authors discuss: (1) major objectives to ICBT; (2) advantages and pitfalls of the student use of ICBT; and (3) future prospects of ICBT. (HM)

Weiner examines Sohn's previous article on attribution and affective reactions. Both researchers' data suggest that emotions in addition to pride and shame are experienced in achievement settings, and that these affects are not necessarily augmented by effort ascriptions. (Author/GDC)

Supervisors can help their teachers resolve classroom communication conflicts by providing an objective framework for analysis of communication failures. An observational system is described for detection of student teacher communication breakdown, analysis of the conflict resulting from inappropriately decoded messages, and correction of the…

A phenomenon called "pragmatic variation" is discussed as a child's individual system of behavior in response to a question the child doesn't understand but realizes that he must verbalize an answer to. (NCR)

As predicted, subjects scored higher on subtests of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children which they had rated positively than on those which they had rated negatively. This positive reinforcement value effect supports the purposeful human image advanced by logical learning theory. No racial or social class differences were seen. (Author/CP)

Literature relevant to working with mentally retarded children and their families is summarized. The major emphasis is on the relationship of fathers and their mentally retarded children. The authors suggest fathers should be more involved with their MR child and this can be achieved through education, counseling, and various programs. (Author)

Teachers presented four behavioral combinations--(1) verbally and nonverbally positive; (2) verbally positive and nonverbally negative; (3) verbally negative and nonverbally positive; or (4) verbally and nonverbally negative--to sixth grade students. Negative nonverbal behavior led to significantly greater performance. Teacher gender and student…