Sociopolitical change and perceived vitality

This paper addresses the issue of how ethnic groups cognitively represent some of the societal forces impinging upon them and relevant outgroups before and after a naturally-occurring event. By utilizing the concept of “vitality” and its attending measurement instrument (the SVQ), Chinese Hong Kong students were required to rate the perceived vitalities of Chinese and Western groups in the Colony as well as their respective languages before and after the Sino-British Treaty. Results showed that the status of the English language was perceived lower in a number of situations after the international agreement. This was complemented by a decrease in the perceived level of immigration and emigration patterns of Westerners, by an increase in their perceived political power locally, and by an increase in the status of the English language internationally. The findings, many of which manifest judgemental reversals from before to after the Treaty, are discussed in terms of the psychological acceptance of the agreement by the Hong Chinese and in the context of maintaining a positive ethnic identity.     

Sports Betting and Other Gambling in Athletes,Fans, and Other College Students

Gambling on college and professional sports and the influence of attending colleges with differing levels of “sports interest” were examined among athletes, sports fans, and other students (N = 10,559) at 119 colleges in the United States using multilevel statistical analysis. Athletes and fans reported more sports gambling compared to other students, with no differences between athletes and fans. Male students were more likely to gamble than female students, but gender did not moderate the relationship between athletic participation and sports gambling. Students attending schools with a greater “sports interest” were more likely to gamble on college sports after adjusting for individual characteristics. Athletes, sports fans, and students attending schools with high “sports interest” are appropriate targets for prevention efforts.     

What Makes the Difference? Children and teachers talk about resilient outcomes for children 'at risk'

Research has been conducted into childhood resilience, a term which according to A. Masten, K. Best and N. Garmezy (Resilience and development: contributions from study of children who overcome adversity, Development and Psychopathology, 2, pp. 425-444, 1990) is defined as the process of, capacity for or outcome of successful adaptation despite challenging or threatening circumstances. The study to be presented here asked 9-12 year olds and their teachers from primary schools in disadvantaged areas in South Australia what it was they thought made the difference between 'kids with tough lives who do O.K.' and 'kids with tough lives who don't do O.K.' Using Bronfenbrenner's ecological theory to frame the analysis, this paper explores how the two groups of respondents discussed how the family, the school and the community might help make the difference. While both children and teachers tended to see the role of the family and the community in promoting resilient behaviour in fairly similar terms, the two groups saw very different roles for the school.     

Challenging experiences faced by beginning casual teachers: here one day and gone the next!

The Educational Alumni Support Project (EdASP) indicated that there is an urgent need for the teaching profession to support casual beginning teachers (CBTs). The EdASP that was carried out at the University of New England provided online support for primary and secondary beginning teachers, yet the majority of postings were submitted by CBTs. In general, these casual teachers experienced feelings of alienation, culture shock, a lack of school and systemic support, and are often not considered part of the school community by staff or students. The analysis of postings by CBTs provides further insight into the difficulties they face, as well as reveals or reinforces strategies that could effectively facilitate their teaching. Many of these findings are not new, yet the call to aid casuals continues to be overlooked. This need for support is both professional and pragmatic. Ethically, education – a nurturing profession – should support its novices. In addition, the transition period from pre‐service to professional teacher has significant implications for teacher educators plus the potential retention of teachers.