Because self-directed learning behaviors are inherently interwoven within a foundation of lifespan cognitive and contextual characteristics, researchers must examine the theory and application of self-directed learning not just as an externally-defined or self-perceived process but also as an internal process of continual development grounded in a…

In a study of children's moral development, four toddlers and their mothers were observed at home approximately every three weeks when toddlers were 13-23 months of age. Six behavioral signs of children's awareness of standards were coded: (1) proud looks, achievement smiles, statements of accomplishment; (2) awareness of, interest in, and…

It is traditional among some peoples of the world to celebrate an individual's coming-of-age with ritual. Through these ceremonies, and the tests which sometimes accompany them, a society socializes its youth and transforms them inwardly by molding their moral and mental disposition. Without such ritualization there is a breakdown in the…

This paper focuses on the emergence of a sense of sexual difference during childhood and the attitudes and feelings toward homosexuality internalized by children. Data on a variety of issues associated with growing up gay or lesbian were gathered from young adult homosexuals (N=13) in South Carolina, school guidance counselors (N=142), preservice…

Freedom is subject to a variety of conceptions in life because people think of it from where they are in life. Psychological literature contains a great deal about freedom but it is almost always found under the rubric of freedom versus determinism. This study examined the concepts of freedom in subjects (N=450) who ranged in age from 7 to 21…

Adolescents are particularly open to the influences of interventions that restructure their attitudes and self-concept. This study assesses the influence of martial arts training that incorporates a philosophy of life along with strict discipline. The hypothesis was that such training could positively influence juvenile delinquents and contribute…

At the heart of all human learning is the person seeking to grow, develop, and realize something of value in and through another person. Learning is essentially dependent on the relationships between student and teacher, and between the students themselves. In that all knowledge is value-based and developed to achieve something of personal…

This address first briefly reviews what children are expected to know and be able to do when they reach adulthood and considers the critical developmental tasks which they must engage in and go through to meet such expectations. Then, consideration is given to the institutions of social networks in which development occurs as they operated in the…

This collection of four articles focuses on the needs of and services for young adolescents in the after-school hours. In "Young Adolescents and Their Communities: A Shared Responsibility," William Kerewsky and Leah M. Lefstein discuss the physical, intellectual, emotional, and social development of young adolescents. Elliot A. Medrich,…

The relationship between personal development and mastery of instructional skills in a preservice teacher education program was studied. The sample of 80 students were in elementary, early childhood, and special education programs. Questions posed were: (1) How well do the personal development instruments describe the students? (2) Are there…

In this document, one of a series of papers commissioned by Foundations (a development project designed to examine the career development needs of students entering the National Technical Institute for the Deaf), the processes of moral development in persons with hearing impairments are examined. The work of J. Piaget is first reviewed, followed…

Describes classroom discussions with third and fifth graders based on William Glasser's "Schools without Failure". These discussions encouraged the teachers and children to experience their own feelings and understand others and to engage in democratic problem-solving activities. (SDH)

Analysis of responses of 482 sixth graders, classified as either peer oriented or adult oriented, reveals that while the peer-oriented children generally conform to a socially undesirable peer subculture, they are unsatisfied and anxious about it. Sex differences are discussed and comparisons made with other research. (Author)