Identity‐Based Discussion Groups: A Means of Providing Outreach and Support for Asian Pacific American Students

This article explores the psychological issues experienced by Asian Pacific American students, illustrating the need to provide culturally relevant interventions. Cultural identity issues experienced by many of these students are salient challenges that can lead to psychological distress. Because some students avoid traditional counseling, discussion groups may be a viable method of outreach. Group formats from 2 universities are presented to illustrate the relevancy and efficacy of the approach.     

DEVELOPING PARENT‐PROFESSIONAL PARTNERSHIPS IN A POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION PROGRAM FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

Opportunities are increasing for students with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities to attend postsecondary education programs located at college campuses around the nation. Students who attend postsecondary education programs experience numerous positive outcomes, including independent living skills and expanded social networks. However, although parent‐professional partnerships could significantly enhance long‐term outcomes such as competitive employment and independent living, there is a paucity of information about the nature of these partnerships in postsecondary settings. The purpose of this expository article is to describe how staff from a midwestern postsecondary education program facilitate parent‐professional partnerships through parent involvement and support.     

Observations of Parent Reactions to Sex-Stereotyped Behaviors: Age and Sex Effects

To examine differential socialization of boys and girls by mothers and fathers, home observations were completed for families of 92 12-month-old children, 82 18-month-old children, and 172 5-year-old children. Mothers gave more instructions and directions than did fathers, while fathers spent more time in positive play interaction. Differences in parents' reactions to 12- and 18-month boys and girls were as expected, with the exception that boys received more negative comment for communication attempts than did girls. The suggestion in the literature that fathers would be more involved in sex typing than mothers was not confirmed in this study. The only 2 significant sex-of-parent x sex-of-child effects occurred at 18 months; fathers gave fewer positive reactions to boys engaging in female-typical toy play, and mothers gave more instruction to girls when they attempted to communicate. We argue that the second year of life is the time when children are learning many new skills and when parents are still experimenting with parenting styles and may well use stereotypical responses when unsure of themselves.     

Environmental and Genetic Variance in Children's Observed and Reported Maladaptive Behavior

The genetic and environmental contributions to children's maladaptive behavior are assessed in a sample of 154 twin pairs (77 MZ twin pairs and 77 DZ twin pairs), who range in age from 6 to 11 years. To bridge the strengths of behavioral genetic methods and environmental assessment techniques, we use a multimethod, multimeasure approach to data collection, and analyze the data using behavioral genetic modeling techniques. Results indicate that genetic variation accounts for a majority of the variance in parent-reported child maladaptive behavior (average = 62%). One parent-report measure also suggests a smaller, significant contribution of shared environmental variance. In contrast to the parental ratings, the observational coding and global impressions of parent-twin interactive behavior suggest that shared environment is the primary source of variance accounting for parent and child maladaptive behavior. This is due, in part, to the direct influence one's interactive partner has on the expression of maladaptive behavior in an interactive setting. When controlling for the co-participant's behavior, genetic variation increases and shared environmental variation decreases.     

Implementation fidelity of MyTeachingPartner literacy and language activities: Association with preschoolers’ language and literacy growth

There is surprisingly little empirical research examining issues of fidelity of implementation within the early childhood education literature. In the MyTeachingPartner project, 154 teachers were provided with materials to implement a supplemental classroom curriculum addressing six aspects of literacy and language development. The present study examines the degree of variability in three aspects of implementation fidelity – dosage, adherence, and quality of delivery – and whether these components of fidelity were associated with children's growth in language and literacy skills across the preschool year. Findings indicate that teachers reported using the curriculum fairly often (dosage) and that they were observed to generally follow curricular lesson plans (adherence). In contrast, the quality of delivery, defined as the use of evidence-based teacher–child interactions for teaching literacy and language, was much lower. Children in classrooms in which activities were observed to last for longer (dosage) and in which teachers exhibited higher quality of delivery of literacy lessons made significantly greater gains in early literacy skills across the preschool year. Also, teachers’ use of higher quality language interactions was associated with gains for children who did not speak English at home. Results have implications for teacher professional development and the supports provided to ensure that curricula are delivered most effectively.     

Kinematic analysis of proximal-to-distal and simultaneous motion sequencing of straight punches

Consecutive proximal-to-distal sequencing of motion is considered to be integral for generating high velocity of distal segments in many sports. Simultaneous usage of proximal and distal segments as seen in martial arts is by far less well investigated. Therefore, the aim of the study was to characterise and differentiate the concepts of consecutive (CSM) and simultaneous (SSM) sequence of motion in straight reverse punches as practised in Practical Wing Chun. Four experienced martial artists succeeded an eligibility test for technical proficiency in both concepts and performed a total number of 20 straight punches per concept. Eight MX13 Vicon cameras (250 fps) and Visual3D were used for motion capture and analyses. Both motion concepts showed proximal-to-distal sequencing of maximal joint velocities but, in SSM, this was coupled with simultaneous initiation. Key characteristics were: high pelvis momentum and backswing of shoulder and elbow (CSM); and importance of shoulder involvement (SSM). Different ranges of motion, timing aspects and achieved maximal angular velocities distinguished both concepts, which led to differences (p < 0.05) in fist velocity at contact, execution time, distance and horizontal shift of the centre of mass. Proper application of both concepts depends on the environmental setting, situational requirements and individual fighting style.     

Reflections on the Use of the RTE Model in Physical Education

Abstract

Research on teacher effectiveness (RTE) using process-product design is a relative newcomer in the area of educational research and an infant in the realm of physical education. The “ideal” model for RTE postulated by cognitive domain researchers from the University of Pittsburgh's Learning Research and Development Center specified six requirements for such research including measures of outcome, teacher behavior, and other influencing factors; a model of classroom processes; data collection procedures; and analysis techniques. This paper discusses procedures and problems related to application of the model where the outcome was psychomotor. Specific topics of discussion include utilizing practice time, providing feedback, defining teaching, measuring teacher mastery, selecting the learning task, utilizing the experimental teaching unit (ETU) approach, and using observation systems. The knowledge base in the acquisition of motor skill must be translated into language for the practitioner. To accomplish this translation, it is necessary to identify teacher behaviors that facilitate learning within given contexts for a specified task or tasks. Such identification will be possible when additional research provides refinement in the model and a sound foundation of knowledge. This research endeavor was an early step in the refinement process.     

Effects of Method of Subject Selection (Volunteer vs Random) and Treatment Variable on Motor Performance

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to test for possible interaction effects between method of subject selection (volunteer vs random) and a selected treatment variable—verbal encouragement. The presence of such an interaction would suggest that generalizations regarding verbal encouragement could be made only to specific subject populations. Volunteer (n = 40) and randomly selected (n = 40) subjects were randomly assigned to either a verbal encouragement condition or to a control group with no verbal encouragement. Dependent variables were a tapping task and a leg lift task. It was predicted that volunteer subjects, due to their higher need for approval and greater desire to accommodate, would perform significantly better under the verbal encouragement condition than would the randomly selected subjects. Multivariate and univariate data analyses indicated that the prediction was supported on the tapping task (female subjects only) but not on the leg lift task. It was concluded, at least on certain tasks, that use of volunteer subjects may result in a selection bias × treatment interaction effect that could limit the generalizability of research results.