Discusses research concerning individual differences in children that appear to be associated with vicarious emotional responses and a tendency to engage in prosocial behavior. Focuses on research concerning parents' influence on children's methods for coping with their own and others' emotions and children's social behavior. (BB)

Examined the emotional reactions of toddlers to two mishaps. Children's reactions varied along two dimensions: tension and frustration and concerned reparation. Mishaps elicited more negative emotions than did free play, and most toddlers attempted to correct the mishap. Findings indicate that children's styles of emotional response to mishaps may…

The response satiation model of instrumental performance was used in two experiments to establish contingencies which reduced the self-injurious behavior of two adults with profound mental retardation and multiple handicaps. Transfer and generalization of training effects were also observed. (Author/DB)

A study examined interactional patterns in interviews that characterize elicitation of one text type, description, including type/mixture of questions asked by the fieldworker and the speaker's response. Subjects (n=137) were of three ethnic groups and three socioeconomic levels. Results suggest questioning strategy can have strong, predictable…

Stimulated recall was used to examine the affective experiences of (n=32) fourth and fifth graders engaged in mathematics seatwork. Students' affect was found to be primarily negative and achievement related. Anger was the most prevalent affective response. (42 references) (MKR)

It is suggested that perceptions of the self, of others, and of the relationship between self and others are very powerful and that this influence is clearly reflected in culture. The independent view of the self, represented in Western culture, is contrasted with the interdependent view in many other cultures. (SLD)

To investigate the ability of multiple-choice tests to assess higher order thinking skills, examinations were constructed as half multiple choice and half constructed response. Results with 90 undergraduate and graduate students indicate that the 2 formats measure similar constructs at different levels of complexity. (SLD)

Problems relating to existence of interval scales, dimensionality of a trait, and patterns of item response functions are approached through contrasting scaling methods: item response theory modeling and dual scaling. Similarity of the methods is established through a study of 326 female junior college students in Singapore completing a Likert…

Researchers studied the relationship between mediated learning interactions and question dyad variables that structured elementary classroom interactions, comparing relationships for teachers trained or not trained in COGNET mediated learning. Results indicated that relationships between mediated learning and classroom interaction structure were…

Reports on a set of three studies that compared responses to commonly used attitude and personality questionnaires administered by computer with those administered in written form. Subjects' affective reactions to the two modes of administration were also examined. Overall the differences between the two conditions were negligible. (25 references)…

Several barriers may prevent teachers from using an integrated curriculum, including insufficient preparation and an individualistic or accountability-driven school culture. A Farmington, Connecticut, middle school encourages its teachers to develop an interdisciplinary curriculum aligned with performance assessment. Teachers receive training in a…

Presents a seven-step strategy to help teachers improve feedback effectiveness and provide more individual attention in large classes. The strategy considers the learner, the skill being practiced, and environmental factors. The teacher must observe performance, analyze the action and/or outcome of the response, and communicate directly with the…

Illustrates how social interaction with high quality literature can foster the literacy process of responding to literature with the student's own voice. Demonstrates ways that particular instructional processes can foster critical literacy processes as students share their interpretations of quality literature. (MG)

This paper describes research activities of the Positive Teaching Project, focusing on the nature of classroom behavior problems viewed by teachers as particularly troublesome, teachers' typical responses to classroom behavior, classroom behavior management strategies based on manipulation of antecedents and natural consequences, and training…

Measurement properties of two response formats (bipolar and unipolar ratings) in personality assessment were compared using data from 135 college students taking the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI). Factorial validity and construct validity of the MBTI were supported. Reasons why the bipolar method is preferable are discussed. (SLD)