Personality profiles and dogmatism in undergraduate teacher education students

A sample of 435 junior education majors in a large Southwestern university were given the 16 Personality Factor Questionnaire and the Opinion Scale. Correlations were computed between these two scales, and a profile of personality factors was developed which defined the nature of authoritarianism or dogmatism. A step-wise multiple regression analysis revealed that an accurate prediction formula for dogmatism could not be developed from the personality factor scores. Implications for teacher education programs include research to determine if treatment programs can be developed to change a student's degree of dogmatism, and the importance of screening procedures which include an assessment of open-mindedness.     

Moral attention: A comparative philosophical study

The notion of moral attention allows the recognition of fundamental aspects of ethical life ignored or neglected by mainstream ethical theories. It is central to the theories of several notable female ethicists and many of them identify the French philosopher Simone Weil as the source of the contemporary use of this concept which invites questioning of crucial categories in the domain of ethics and moral education, such as the importance of the will as well as the definition of the moral sphere itself. The meanings given to the notion of moral attention are examined in the work of three ethicists: Iris Murdoch, Nel Noddings and Joan Tronto with the object of bringing out points of agreement and disagreement between their respective conceptions of this subject. The way they have addressed the complex problem of educating for moral attention is analyzed and important implications for moral education are discussed.     

General Communication

THE MEDIA MONOPOLY by Ben H. Bagdikian (Boston, Massachusetts: Beacon Press, 1983—$8.95, paper).

COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES &; SOCIETY: CONCEPTIONS OF CAUSALITY &; THE POLITICS OF TECHNOLOGICAL INTERVENTION by Jennifer Daryl Slack (Norwood, New Jersey: Ablex Publishing, 1984—price not given).

THE MIRROR MAKERS: A HISTORY OF AMERICAN ADVERTISING AND ITS CREATORS by Stephen Fox (New York: William Morrow, 1984—$17.95).

INSTEAD OF REGULATION: ALTERNATIVES TO FEDERAL REGULATORY AGENCIES edited by. Robert W. Poole, Jr. (Lexington, Massachusetts: Lexington Books, 1982—$28.50).

MASS MEDIA ISSUES: ANALYSIS AND DEBATE edited by George Rodman (Chicago, Minois: SRA Inc., 1984— price not given, paper).     

Predicting intraindividual changes in teacher burnout: The role of perceived school environment and motivational factors

Based on self-determination theory, this study proposes and tests a motivational model of intraindividual changes in teacher burnout (emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced personal accomplishment). Participants were 806 French-Canadian teachers in public elementary and high schools. Results show that changes in teachers’ perceptions of classroom overload and students’ disruptive behavior are negatively related to changes in autonomous motivation, which in turn negatively predict changes in emotional exhaustion. Results also indicate that changes in teachers’ perceptions of students’ disruptive behaviors and school principal’s leadership behaviors are related to changes in self-efficacy, which in turn negatively predict changes in three burnout components.     

Postgraduate Certificate in Guidance and Pupil Support: The Impact of the Course on Practice

This paper reports an investigation into the impact of a postgraduate certificate in guidance and pupil support on the practice of its recent graduands. The Certificate is one delivered within the Postgraduate Award Scheme of Northern College. The writers' investigation showed that the course had a major impact on graduands' professional practice, particularly in their effective use of enhanced interpersonal skills and counselling approach. Given the current climate, work which demonstrates the value of training in relation to the affective area is particularly valuable. A full report of the study is available from Northern College.     

RETHINKING THE FINANCING OF POST‐COMPULSORY EDUCATION

Throughout the world, the financing of education is in a state of crisis, a condition made even more acute by the simultaneous appearance of a doctrinal crisis with regard to the ends and the utility of education. For European higher education, the situation calls for the diversification of funding mechanisms. The public authorities which up until now have born most of the burden of higher education financing must transfer a goodly portion of the burden to users, i.e., students and parents, and to the private sector. Various methods for financial diversification are explored as well as different formulae for user‐financing.