The human life course is examined so as to clarify the nature and meaning of age to members of different social classes at different periods of their lives. The author utilizes a developmental framework: life is made up of interlinked role sequences involving cumulative learning. Each stage builds on the previous one. Within this framework, the…

Numerous problems which teachers may have with gifted students in their classes are listed and several possible solutions are suggested in outline form for each problem. Problems covered are of six types: intellectual problems of individual gifted students (arising from abilities superior to those of their classmates); study habit problems of…

Two studies are reported: one examines stereotypes about only children and the other examines stereotypes about mothers of only children. A sample of 150 college students were the subjects for the first study which utilized the Prisoner's Dilemma Game, the NASA exercise, and a questionnaire to test the hypotheses that only children are selfish,…

Research on the efficacy of special classes is reviewed in terms of academic achievement, personal and social adjustment, and the role of labeling. (CL)

Grade 5 students (N=39) judged on the basis of familial factors to be at risk for antisocial behavior were evaluated for academic engaged time, social interactive behavior, teacher ratings of social skills, principal contacts, and special education services. Results indicated behavioral differences between the at risk subjects and normal controls.…

Warns that methods of molding "good students" (e.g., teacher-dominated decision making, lack of student participation/response, and solitary classwork) ensure conformity, docility, passivity, and dependence. Recommends coaching, rather than lecturing, for skill development; Socratic dialogue; environments that reduce fear of failure; and learning…

Teaching experience at The Lab School of Washington has shown that learning-disabled children and adults cope with their lack of self-esteem and feelings of stupidity by developing masks to hide their hurt. These include masks of super-competence, helplessness, invisibility, clowning, injustice collecting, indifference, boredom, outrageousness,…

Genetic diseases in children present difficulties to the children themselves and to their families. This article reviews the features of genetic disease, stresses surrounding diagnosis, difficulties associated with each developmental stage, other sources of psychosocial stress on the family (e.g., finances, hospitalization, placement decisions),…

A coat was adapted for a 20-year-old severely handicapped woman to control her practice of "mouthing" her hands and clothing. Velcro strips attached to the coat held the student's arms down long enough to allow for differential reinforcement of appropriate behavior, which successfully reduced the rate of mouthing. (JDD)

Measured the associations of students' personal adjustment, interpersonal communication, and peer relationships with their subsequent achievement and continuation in college. Results suggest that efforts to improve relations between students in the residence halls may increase their achievement and retention in college. (ABB)

The questionnaire responses of 24 markedly accelerated young students at the University of Washington were compared with those of 24 regular-aged university students, 23 National Merit Scholors, and 27 students who had qualified for acceleration but instead elected to participate in high school. Accelerants appeared as well adjusted as all…

Self-care children were compared with control children in adult care to investigate whether self-care (latchkey) arrangements have negative consequences for children. On several measures of children's social and psychological functioning, no significant differences were found between two matched samples. (Author/DST)

Mexican American adults (259) in three suburban Southern California communities responded to a standardized psychological impairment measure to test whether relinquishment of traditional values lessens acculturative stress and adjustment problems, or if identification with Anglo American culture while maintaining traditional values facilitates…