Examined consultee's influence on process of problem definition. Hypothesized that consultee would influence consultant's ability to formulate specific, descriptive problems by consultee's original problem conceptualization. Findings from 18 doctoral student consultants enrolled in mental health consultation course and behavioral analysis class…

Discusses a rhetorical competence theory that is primarily concerned with an abstract understanding of the rhetorical and cognitive processes that underlie rhetorical acts. Presents the theory as an analogical system based on the four master tropes: metaphor, metonymy, synecdoche, and irony. Draws upon the systems of analogical reasoning, problem…

Investigated the possibility that some kindergartners exhibit patterns of affective reactions associated with helplessness. Results indicated that, after they were criticized by their teachers, some kindergartners showed affective reactions and made self-evaluations associated with motivational helplessness. Reactions were related to conceptions…

Describes differences between total quality management and self-directed teams in terms of job design, decision making, flexibility, supervision, labor relations, quality, customers, and training. Offers suggestions for which method to choose when. (SK)

Engages 260 fifth form chemistry students in a study aimed at identifying some correlates of students' performances in chemical problem solving at the secondary school level. Results revealed that students' attitudes, possession of the relevant chemical and mathematical knowledge and skills, and ability to think logically were significantly…

Used correctly, teams can increase productivity, raise morale, and spur innovation. Tips for effective teams include using the right team to do the right job, creating a hierarchy of teams, building an atmosphere of trust, and addressing interpersonal issues. (SK)

Individual development planning, intended to improve job performance, involves identifying what needs to be improved; what is the evidence of this; what root skills need development; how behavior changes will be measured; what ideas/principles lead to successful development; and how these elements form a coherent sequence of actions. (SK)

Effective problem solvers have an aptitude complex composed of cognitive, affective, and conative factors. After diagnosing learning readiness, instructions can organize strategies to help students structure knowledge and develop the attitudes, confidence, and skills to think through application-level problems. (SK)

This study found that 43 school-age deaf and hard-of-hearing students did not perform as well as a matched group of hearing students on problem-solving tasks. As they got older, both groups made incremental gains in problem-solving ability, and the gap between groups narrowed. (Author/JDD)

Suggestions are offered for resolving conflicts between parents of gifted students and educators. Specific guidelines are offered for both parents and educators to facilitate an effective conference. Additional guidelines consider conflict styles, problem solving, and the "caring confrontation" technique. (DB)

The social cognitive problem-solving skills of 389 adults (ages 17 to 72) with mental retardation were evaluated using the Means-Ends Problem-Solving measure. Subjects employed limited means to solving social problems and generated proportionally fewer relevant means than expected. The relationship between self-determination and social problem…

A real world sample of actual data that students can use to see the application of the Hardy-Weinberg law to a real population is provided. The directions for using a six-step algorithmic procedure to determine Hardy-Weinberg percentages on the data given are described. (KR)

A research psychologist at Princeton (Ohio) City Schools attributes district success to a polished management by objectives (MBO) approach helping educators set priorities, stay focused, and meet educational goals. Steps for determining district needs, developing objectives, and monitoring progress are provided. Schools have flexibility to tackle…

To restructure schooling and emphasize creative definition and redefinition of problems, teachers need to allow students more responsibility for choosing and solving problems. Problems requiring insightful solution are almost always ill structured, whereas school-posed problems lead to prescribed answers. Creative persons learn to tolerate…

Described is how the crumpling of paper balls exhibits the concept of a topological dimension similar to fractals. The mass of the crumpled paper ball is found to be proportional to its diameter raised to a nonintegral power. (KR)