Examined were changes in students' positive and negative perceptions of junior high as they made the transition from sixth to seventh grade and the relation of students' perceptions to their social and academic adjustment. A total of 100 students were interviewded in the spring of their sixth-grade year, the fall of their seventh-grade year, and…

In considering the questions of what sense teachers make of their professional education and what they learn during teacher preparation, two case studies are presented, based on an analysis of interviews across the first year of teacher preparation. The first student was enrolled in an academic-learning program which emphasized the importance of…

The literature review examines the issue of whether categorical differentiation and placement of mentally retarded and learning disabled students is educationally warranted. First, the two conditions are defined; next, a comparison between the two on psychological, behavioral-social, and educational characteristics usually ascribed to children so…

This paper reviews several studies on aptitude treatment interaction, the interaction between the learners' individual differences and methods of instruction. Specifically, it investigates the relationship between previous knowledge, including previously held misconceptions, and instructional methods. It is suggested that significant interactions…

America has not attained its goal of a fully literate and educated population. In order to assure high school graduation for all students, states must undertake new initiatives to reach the one out of four youth who does not graduate. Substantial changes in education policy and in school practice are necessary to accomplish this objective. These…

Recent research in the area of masculine and feminine personality characteristics has led to conflicting results about the adaptive value of androgyny. To investigate the relationship between sex-typing and self-reported job satisfaction and performance in the male-dominated field of engineering, 346 male and 346 female engineers completed the…

This paper discusses the relationship between individual differences and educational practices by reviewing the historical models of teaching and past research on learner characteristics. The mental testing movement is reviewed in terms of the emergence of aptitude as a measurable concept. Learner motivation is also discussed along with the…

With the proliferation of suicide prevention centers in the United States, the task of rapidly and effectively assessing an individual caller's suicide potential has become an important research problem. However, the social science researcher is often confronted with an ethical problem when the results of his predictive equations can be used to…

Many research studies have used samples of women in introductory psychology courses, but few studies have focused on women interested in careers in psychology. To compare women who aspire to careers in psychology with those aspiring to other professions, 428 women in their senior year at seven colleges completed questionnaires assessing career…

This paper describes the self-evaluation maintenance model (SEM) which suggests that much social behavior can be understood by assuming that persons are motivated to maintain a positive self-evaluation. The two processes by which one's social circumstances may affect self-evaluation, i.e., reflection and comparison, are described. The relationship…

This report reviews five studies dealing with drug abuse and adolescence and presents an overview of the social changes which have contributed to the increased use of marijuana and other illicit drugs. The importance of the longitudinal study as a research tool is emphasized in describing the research projects that deal with the epidemiology of…

The 1980's may be remembered as the decade of the older woman, due in part to demographics and also to public awareness heightened by the women's movement. If psychology is to exert a constructive force towards the optimization of mental health of older women, it is essential for psychologists to be aware of the limits of current knowledge and the…

This document, one of a series for child caregivers working in military care centers, discusses ways of constructing appropriate environments for toddlers. Sections of part 1 focus on recognizing the influence of environments on children's feelings and behavior, coordinating the arrangement of space with the physical and psychological…

One of a series designed for caregivers in military child care centers, this book discusses how to plan and implement an effective environment for infants 6 weeks to 12 months of age. The document is divided into two parts, with selected resources listed at the end. Part 1 outlines some ways to organize and arrange physical space at the center. In…

Part of a series of instructor training modules on related subjects instruction for apprentices, this booklet deals with providing for individual learner needs. The first chapter consists of an outline of the scope and content of the instructor training modules as well as a self-asessment pretest. Covered in the module are determining needs,…