The achievement goals of 127 sets of parents and perfectionism in their academically talented children (56% boys) were studied. Children of performance goal, rather than learning goal, parents were more likely to exhibit dysfunctional perfectionism, with a combination of concern about mistakes and doubts about actions, parental expectations, and…

A study of 89 California Institute of Technology 1943 male graduates revealed that the men were highly productive, gifted individuals who contributed greatly to their scientific fields, maintained stable and satisfying family lives, contributed to their communities, pursued avocations in considerable depth, and found creative means for expressing…

Most faculty are neither sufficiently skilled nor psychologically disposed to perform competently and find rewards in the range of tasks required of them. Addressing the teaching role alone, the "knowledge transfer" subrole is disaggregated here into four technologies with associated skill sets and personality dispositions; it is argued that…

Study tests two models to compare the effects of risk and resiliency across gender and ethnicity. Results support the model in which risk and resiliency are discrete sets of factors and demonstrate that overall resiliency factors play a larger role than risk factors in substance use and drug resistance processes. Gender proved to be an important…

Family influence has been established as one of the strongest sources of risk and protection when considering adolescent substance abuse. Theories used to view the family influence include family systems theory; social cognitive theory; social control theory; and strain theory. Specific family-based risk and protective factors include family…

Discusses how adversity provides opportunities for personal and professional growth. Notes benefits of adversity, including enhanced skills and insights, sense of accomplishment, balanced perspective, increased productivity and efficiency, increased sensitivity to others, enhanced sense of humor, better priorities, and personal and professional…

Data from 742 parents of adolescents revealed that about half the parents chose friendly behavior towards classmates and strong personality as the most important factors contributing to popularity, followed by high grades, acceptance by the opposite sex, and physical attractiveness. Parents chose high grades and desire to pursue higher education…

Researchers in the field of educational measurement need to monitor their own actions to keep their achievements in perspective. Some possible symptoms of obsession with their own significance are explored. Pride, destructive criticism, and misusing others to advance oneself are flaws researchers should strive to eradicate. (SLD)

Describes Erikson's theory of developmentally appropriate curriculum and the eight stages of the life cycle. Provides brief descriptions of these stages and some possible professional applications that early childhood educators can use in pursuing professional development. (MOK)

College freshmen and sophomores (n=342) in an elective class designed to teach active learning strategies and critical thinking completed the Dynamic and Active Learning Inventory. Results supported the theory that self-regulated learning requires not only active, deliberate learning strategies, but also includes a natural dynamic component that…

This article presents the "Piirto Pyramid" framework for identification of talent potential. It explains how the pyramid identifies influences that are significant in the development of talents, including genetics, personality attributes, cognitive ability, talent, vocational, and environmental. Examples using Roy Rogers and Michelangelo are…

In this article, a woman recounts her discovery at 50 years old that she has autism. Her relief at finding an explanation for why she had experienced the world differently is discussed, along with the assets of autism. The psychic ability of individuals with autism and their spirituality are described. (CR)

Provides historical information on the importance of political leaders' character. Explains that there are three attributes of aspirants for the presidency: character, personality, and biography. Introduces the ideas of James Barber in "The Presidential Character" that focuses on the relationship between presidential character and behavior in…

Presents six different investigations of character enhancement that attempts to answer three questions: (1) who are you; (2) what is your destination; and (3) who is your captain? Intends to build relationships among ideas such as perspective taking, seeing and making connections with the other, and understanding more about ethical development.…

This article provides examples and illustrations of how people with aphasia can and do demonstrate their competence in managing their lives despite chronic aphasia. It discusses a number of ways in which persons with aphasia and their families can learn to live fully despite the intrusion of aphasia. (Contains references.) (Author/CR)