A theoretical framework for incorporating item response theory into the measurement of attitude and other personality processes is presented. The person by item model is introduced by considering the conceptual usefulness of such a model in understanding item responding, outlining the form of the model, briefly discussing methods for examining the…

A new interactive model of attention, perception, memory, and arousal is introduced; and its use in assessing characteristics of the perceptual process is demonstrated. The principal concern is not the presentation of new data; rather it is placement of existing psychological data within a new context. Topics discussed include: attention as an…

The relative influence of selected life history experiences on the development of three vocational types (investigative, social, and enterprising) proposed by J. L. Holland is studied using causal modeling procedures. The lack of explicitness in the developmental postulates of Holland's theory is seen as a major deficiency. Among the principal…

Implemented in an urban community college's child development teacher training program, this practicum project addressed the problem of discrepancies between training and work environments. General goals of the practicum were: (1) to design a learning styles training format for preschool teachers; (2) to provide teachers with factual information…

A study was designed to identify and clarify relationships between naturally observed, task-measured, and elicited instances of kindergarten children's role-taking, prosocial behavior and sharing behavior. An additional goal of the study was to illuminate possible relationships between prosocial behavior and children's temperamental…

Attitude measurement through Likert-type surveys usually provides no opportunity to assess the importance of the statements of the subjects. This study, involving 479 graduate and undergraduate students, examines the question of whether importance and agreement measures have different underlying dimensions, and examines the question of whether the…

Addressing the question, "What can be done to promote school achievement?", this paper summarizes the literature on motivation relating to classroom achievement and school effectiveness. Particular attention is given to how values, ideology, and various cultural patterns impinge on classroom performance and serve to enhance motivation to achieve.…

Based on the idea that laughter and humor are basic components of a healthy childhood, this practicum paper emphasizes the concern that preschool programs have become too academic and are creating stress for children. Similarly, adults in preschool settings, pressured by parents and public school academic expectations, have become too serious in…

Because the factors which influence parent functioning have not been extensively researched, a study was conducted to determine the relationships among marital adjustment, child temperament, locus of control, and parent satisfaction. Participants included 93 volunteer couples who had at least one child at home. Parents averaged 35 years old and…

This study investigated the relationship between leadership style and the personality (patterns of core strengths) of school administrators as perceived by themselves and by their subordinates and colleagues. Sixty-seven principals and central office staff and 285 of their teachers and peers from 2 school systems participated in the study. Bipolar…

To estimate variables describing identity change, Finnish housewives with work skills were interviewed after their children entered school. Thirty mothers who had remained at home with their preschool-age children were interviewed twice: once when their youngest child was 8 years of age and again when the child was 11. Of these mothers 15 were…

A review of the literature reveals that several common characteristics are used to describe battered women, e.g., low self-esteem, passive, guilty, depressed, dependent. To test the accuracy of these descriptions, the 16 PF Personality Inventory was administered to 30 battered women. Analyses confirmed that abused women exhibited significantly…

Clinical psychologists have traditionally shared the results of psychological tests with other professionals but have withheld this information from their clients. Thus, clients have been encouraged to rely on experts without taking an active part in their treatment. To determine whether college students could validate the accuracy of their own…

Validity of the Career Maturity Inventory (CMI) was investigated using 279 grade ten and 256 grade twelve students. Factor analysis of the ten subtests of the CMI and the regression of the CMI variables on intelligence scores, sex, and grade indicated partial support of the theoretical postulations. Two principal factors emerged, but the CMI…

The reward-cost model of helping behavior in emergency situations suggests that the probability that an observer will help a victim depends, in part, on the relative strength of the rewards and costs of providing help. Factors that influence willingness to help in non-emergency situations were examined using descriptions of situations in which a…