This paper briefly describes Cuban immigration to the United States since the late 1800s, and examines the available demographic and social adjustment data for the latest group of immigrants--the approximately 125,000 persons who came by sea from Mariel Harbor in 1980. The latest wave of Cubans is characterized as poorer, less educated, and less…

In an attempt to evaluate the thesis of Albert Wendt, the well-known Samoan writer, that competing loyalties, goals, and expectations create tension among Polynesian migrants to New Zealand, this paper examines the psychological and social costs of Polynesian migration to an urban center in New Zealand. During 1979-80, 228 Samoans, 2,122 Cook…

Language can act as ideology in 2 possible ways: 1) as a major source and embodiment of a group's world view, sanctioning certain forms of behavior and interpretation; and 2) as a symbol of group identity virtually command a group action. (Author)

The power of the symbol "Sephardic" to foster community association is extremely problematical in the Washington, D.C., context. Washington's Sephardic population is heterogeneous with respect to generation, self-definition, and culture. Complicating the situation is the nature of Washington itself, which in turn is inextricably linked…

In recent years, mutual help groups have been formed to address problems in substance abuse, chronic physical illness, mental illness, marital disruption, and child abuse. Despite the proliferation of these groups, little research has been conducted to assess their efficacy or what happens in them. The nature of mutual help groups (N=32) was…

Students at the University of Guam were surveyed to determine their feelings of ethnocentrism and their use of the native language, Chamorro. Data show students to be only mildly ethnocentric, and there appears to be no correlation between ethnocentrism and reported use of Chamorro. (CHK)

The findings indicate a lack of the influence of the variable of black identification on outgroup attitudes and willingness to associate. Nor is the contention supported that strong ingroup identification leads to a positive or negative outgroup orientation. The implications of these results for educational implications and minority group agencies…

The increasing number of Filipino immigrants to America has coincided with the martial law era in the Philippines. Consequently, this exodus has become a significant political issue for the government of Ferdinand Marcos. Since the Filipino government wishes to retain positive influence and goodwill with those who choose to settle elsewhere, it…

Japanese Americans in suburban Orange County, California, are widely dispersed geographically and have frequent opportunities to integrate totally into mainstream society. Nevertheless, ethnicity survives and flourishes for many. The mechanisms by which ethnicity is developed and maintained by Japanese Americans residing in predominantly white,…

A conceptual approach toward more effective small group functioning is undertaken in this paper to provide a basis from which empirically relevant hypotheses can be drawn and tested. This analysis views actualizing individuals as possessing the unique ability to perceive and utilize the types of behaviors which are conducive to personalizing group…

The study attempted to aid 8th grade students with an awareness and appreciation of their environment. A total of 30 volunteers, 7 girls and 25 boys, were used. Ages ranged from 12-15 and the volunteers were a random sampling of the population. Orientation and evaluation sessions were held the day before and after each exercise. Objective and self…

This study examines the attitude of Jewish adolescents in an American metropolis toward the State of Israel. The study is designed to test two hypotheses: (1) that students who are exposed to a more intensive Jewish education tend to be more aware of Israel than those with a lesser exposure; and (2) that children from homes and/or schools with a…

Group members tend to like other members of their own group more than members of groups to which they do not belong. This paper focuses on some of the initial determinants of this own-group preference and on the isolation of factors which increase or decrease it. The major finding appears to be that the mere anticipation of cooperation or…

To study the effect of democratic and autocratic leadership styles upon the commitment and productivity of voluntary adult groups, eight tenant councils, composed of approximately six persons each, were selected to serve as experimental groups. Trained researchers acting as discussion leaders for each council functioned as either democratic or…

Describes the "Ropes and Initiatives" course for secondary school students at the Lathrop E. Smith Environmental Educational Center, Rockville, Maryland. The course is designed to increase the students self confidence, teach them to develop trust in others and foster groups interaction and responsibility. (CM)