International developments in counseling 1977–1986: some observations

This article gives a historical overview of international developments in counseling during the first ten years of publication of the International Journal for the Advancement of Counselling, 1977–1986. Observations from counselors on five continents on significant societal events during this era and the response of the counseling profession to these events are summarized along with a brief literature review.     

A Review of Critical,Person‐centred and Clinical Approaches to Reminiscence Work for People with Intellectual Disabilities

The present article reviews reminiscence research with regard to people with intellectual disabilities. Although the term “reminiscence” is not often used in intellectual disability research, the concept offers a useful framework for charting the different approaches in literature, thanks to its multidisciplinary character and eclectic theoretical background. Three main perspectives are identified: a critical approach, in which reminiscence is stimulated to let people with intellectual disabilities become critically aware of their past; a person‐centred approach, in which reminiscence serves informational and social purposes; and a clinical approach, in which reminiscence is presented as an alternative diagnostic instrument and/or a “low‐threshold” narrative counselling method for people with intellectual disabilities. The three approaches differ in language use, aims, and backgrounds, but there is congruency amongst the approaches in that reminiscence work can strengthen the identity of people with intellectual disabilities, raise self‐esteem, and enhance social contacts. The review concludes that a more balanced view of reminiscence, better methodological procedures, and more evaluation studies on the effect and process of reminiscence work are needed in future research.     

Indochinese refugees in schools in the United States of America—Challenges and opportunities for counsellors

More than 800,000 Southeast Asian refugees have settled in the United States of America since the early 1970s. The major governmental focus on resettlement efforts for these people has been on helping them to attain economic self-sufficiency. This paper reviews research related to the adaptation of the Indochinese refugee students in schools of the United States of America. Included are reviews of: state studies in California and Illinois, the report of the follow-up study of the overseas Southeast Asian refugee training programs preparing students for United States Schools, and major research reports on progress of Southeast Asian youth toward attaining economic self-sufficiency in the Minneapolis/St. Paul, Philadelphia, and San Diego urban areas. Based on a synthesis of information from these six research reports, the author outlines role involvement for school and community agency counselors in meeting the needs of this new population.Paper Presented at the XIIIth International Round Table for the Advancement of Counseling, Changing World—Changing People, Counselling and Global Health Concerns, August 14–18, 1988 Calgary Canada.     

Are frequent users of social network sites good information evaluators? An investigation of adolescents’ sourcing abilities (¿Son los usuarios frecuentes de las redes sociales evaluadores competentes? Un estudio de las habilidades de los adolescentes para identificar,evaluar y hacer uso de las fuentes)

ABSTRACT

This study investigates the relationship between teenagers’ use of social networking sites (SNS) and their sourcing abilities. Sourcing is defined as students’ ability (1) to discriminate reliable and unreliable links based on source characteristics, (2) to value source criteria as means to select information resources and (3) to select reliable texts based on source characteristics. One hundred and forty-six students (M age = 14.7 years old) completed three sourcing tasks, a questionnaire on SNS use, as well as language and memory skills tests. We found that SNS frequency of use negatively predicted both participants’ ability to select the most reliable source among two conflicting sources on the same topic and their ability to cite source features when justifying their choice. SNS frequency of use was unrelated to students’ assessment of source criteria, but vocabulary level was positively related to performance in this task. We discuss various explanations for the observed relationship between teenagers’ SNS communication and their critical appraisal of information sources, and we propose avenues for instructional interventions aimed at fostering information skills.     

Solving information-based problems: Evaluating sources and information

The focus of this special section is on the processes involved when solving information-based problems. Solving these problems requires from people that they are able to define the information problem, search and select usable and reliable sources and information and synthesise information into a coherent body of knowledge. An important aspect throughout the whole search process is the critical evaluation of sources and information. Evaluation processes are of particular importance when searching information on the Internet, because of the masses of information, and the open publication principle of the Internet. The articles in the present special section take different perspectives in studying the evaluation processes. Influencing factors such as students' domain-specific prior knowledge, metatextual knowledge, and students' epistemic beliefs are addressed.