This paper explores the theoretical and applied groundwork for a new "sociohistorical practice" of cross-cultural communication. Influenced heavily by the work of psychologist Lev Vygotsky, the theory assumes that the way teachers think about and teach culture should result from an understanding of how sociohistorical conditions produce…

Available research from sociocultural sports studies have important information for physical educators about sociological forces which operate in physical education classes and on playing fields. This information can give physical educators a better understanding of the effects of gender and racial stereotyping and cultural differences. (PP)

Linguistic and sociocultural issues in the concept of nationality and identification with a community in French and Arab circles are compared, with references to other European national groups. Among the concepts explored and diagrammed are father, mother, land, fatherland, people, nation, state, homeland, national community, and local community.…

Israeli kindergarten children were ranked on an advantaged-disadvantaged scale, and parent child- rearing attitudes were measured by means of a questionnaire. A strong positive relationship was found between rigid parental attitudes and disadvantaged rankings. Parent attitudes correlated with sociocultural factors, educational level, and national…

Reviews experiences of psychiatric patients in the community. Argues that deinsitutionalization and community treatment of the most needy patients have failed because these movements did not address the sociocultural reasons for institutionalization. Presents economic, clinical, and social hypotheses about why failures have occurred. (Author/MJL)

The purpose of this study is to examine curriculum tracking and its effects. Examined is the process of tracking students in secondary schools of the kibbutz movement in Israel where social class differences are minimal. As a comparison, groups of students from urban schools in Israel are investigated. (Author/KC)

Reports the study of ritual verbal insults among Black men and among gay men. Gives examples of these insults and explains the situations in which such insulting takes place. (PMJ)

The attitude of the target-language community toward the foreign language learner has been overlooked in language teaching. The teacher should consider the native speaker's attitude toward the language learner's command of the language, whether the native speaker views the learner's proficiency as an intrusion, and whether situations dictate…

Nigerian secondary students were surveyed regarding selected environmental issues to determine prevailing knowledge, attitudes, and practices. Students performed very poorly in the knowledge component of the questionnaire and demonstrated negative attitudes towards issues. Students also indicated practices that were harmful to a healthy…

Examines the conflicting conceptualizations concerning the status of high school honors chemistry and the actual importance of the class. Reveals that standards of behavior and learning are actually less in the honors class. Examines this phenomenon from a sociological and anthropological perspective. (MJP)

Examines the discursive structures and linguistic resources of the interactional environments influencing the development of individual communicative competence, with specific reference to providing speaking opportunities to students studying Spanish as a second language. Findings reveal that the ways in which topics are developed differ from how…

Examines a series of naturally-occurring phone calls between a young child and his grandmother in the child's second language (L2), Portuguese. Notes that during the calls the child's L2 appears to increase in complexity, but is subsequently abandoned. Argues that this abandonment requires an examination of the language's role in the larger…

Psychiatric disorders on a global scale, combined with rapid national population diversification, demand that mental health professionals worldwide become more informed about the realities of diagnosing and treating a multicultural patient population. Recommendations are offered to enable such professionals to most efficaciously diagnose and treat…

Using data on variability in West Virginia high school dropout rates, this study examined contextual factors in teen pregnancy. Results indicated that teen pregnancy was explained in a similar way to dropping out. The presence or absence of opportunities and valued participation in a socially, culturally stable community affected both issues. (SM)