Social Work Knowledge of Facts on Aging: Influence of Field and Classroom Education

Palmore's Facts on Aging Quiz (FAQ) was used to measure aging knowledge outcomes of 323 practicum students engaged in aging-focused practica at pre- and posttest across 11 universities. Significant improvement in knowledge scores (p = .0001) was found for graduates of the enhanced field education programs. Taking aging course work was a significant (p = .0001) influence on knowledge outcomes. Combined with coursework, the practicum students experienced increased knowledge of aging. When experiential and didactic learning is combined, increased knowledge about facts of aging occurs.     

Social pretend play in 2-year-olds: Effects of age of partner

The role of the partner in the development of social pretend play was examined in two related studies. In both studies toddler-age children (Study One: n = 16, Study Two: n = 48) played with same-age and 5-year-old partners. In both studies 2-year-olds engaged in more social pretend play with older than with same-age partners. In mixed play sessions, 2-year-olds and 5-year-olds engaged in asymmetrical interaction. However, 5-year-olds used similar social behaviors with same-age and younger partners. In Study two, the 5-year-old partners (n = 32) were asked either to play with or to teach their younger partners. No differences were found in 5-year-old behavior under the two conditions, and younger children did not engage in more complex social pretend play in subsequent play with age-mates.     

Intergenerational effects of college graduation on career sex atypicality in women

This study was designed to determine whether parents' possession of a baccalaureate degree influenced the sex atypicality of the careers attained by their college-educated daughters. The intergenerational effect of mother's or father's possession of a baccalaureate degree was examined for members of two racial groups who were included among respondents to the 1971 and 1980 CIRP surveys. The sample was limited to females who attended a single four-year college or university as first-time matriculants in 1971 and were also full-time participants in the labor force in 1980. A final sample of 1,596 respondents (1,269 whites and 327 blacks) met all selection criteria. A 15-variable block recursive model was estimated to study vocational behavior processes in the subjects as related to five categories of variables: (1) student background characteristics; (2) precollege variables; (3) institutional characteristics of the college attended; (4) measures of the collegiate experience; and (5) outcome measures (educational attainment, sex atypicality of career). Results substantiated the indirect influence of father's and mother's college education on the women's educational attainment and career sex atypicality 9 years after matriculation in college. Intergroup differences in effects suggested differences in family and vocational processes.