The self-concepts of black fourth grade students in Austin, Texas, were studied to ascertain the effect of 36 sessions, 30 minutes each, of oral reading of literature containing black characters, both historical and fictional. Along with a pre- and posttest, the Piers-Harris Self Concept Test (an inventory of yes/no responses to 80 statements…

This study focuses upon the rock concert as a ceremonial or epideictic rhetoric. A major function of rhetoric, Kenneth Burke suggests, is to achieve a symbolic transcendence of the sense of division among men. Rock music, the author contends, fulfills this Burkean definition and serves the dual function of identification and unification for the…

Identification, introjection, incorporation, and internalization dealt with the same basic process according to S. Freud. The process has been discussed and researched in many and varied personal-social contexts. There have been two general areas of concern: identification for positive reasons (often called developmental) and identification for…

Attribution theory focuses on the differences in perceptions that people have of the causes of behaviors and events. In this study attribution theory was used to determine the effect of role in a counseling interview on ratings of causal attributions for counselor and client behaviors. Counselor trainees (n=42) were randomly assigned to the roles…

Three studies were conducted to investigate stereotypes of men of various hair colors by middle-class Anglo college students. Study 1 found an increase of perceived blondness with status, while lack of status was associated with red hair. Study 2, using semantic differentials (after Osgood), found blonde males to be significantly more beautiful,…

Results indicate that those least ethnocentric--cosmopolitans not identified with an ethnic group and engaging in associational interactions--tend to support ethnic integration, while those most ethnocentric--locals identifying with an ethnic group and engaging in communal interaction--find themselves in role conflict and are ambivalent toward…

A comparison of two groups of 16 high school senior girls indicate that achievers aspire higher than underachievers in their educational goals, are more contemporary in and committed to their career goal choices than underachievers, and have a more contemporary view of women's role in society. (Author/EB)

A new model has been emerging that is designed to assist homosexuals to recognize, accept, and value their sexual identity and to help them adjust to this identity in a predominantly heterosexual society. Only a few studies exist that examine the results of this new approach. (Author)

This paper discusses some of the psychological and social problems that the average Jamaican immigrant faces in a society such as Canada. The focus of the discussion is on the problems that have a direct or indirect relationship to the language system of this particular group. (Author/AM)

Reports results of a study investigating reference group orientations of industrially employed professionals. Sample included 128 engineers and 51 scientists, divided into four personnel types: locals, cosmopolitans, local/cosmopolitans, and uncommitted. Through a questionnaire, respondents reflected their level of commitment to a variety of…

This study tests the hypothesis that ethnicity is more salient in people's self concepts in an ethnically mixed society than in a segregated one, and that in an integrated society, ethnicity is more salient in the self concepts of members of the minority group than the majority group. Subjects were elementary, junior high, and high school…

The psychosynthesis workbook theme for this issue is gaining freedom to be our true selves. It includes guidelines for use, the "Who Am I" exercise, an article on identity and personal freedom, some experiential techniques for continuing use in personal explorations and self-development, and a short article on psychosynthesis. (Author)

This study was designed in an attempt to solve what appeared to be a serious problem--the spanish speaking students confusion about their cultural identity. (Author/AM)

This research is based on the premise that sensitivity training effects are explicable in terms of processes of social influence. Subjects were participants in a residential 5-day training laboratory. Results indicated that no single strong source of influence could be discerned. Implications are discussed. (NG)