Conservation acquisition, maintenance, and generalization by mentally retarded children using equality-rule training.

To teach conservation to mildly retarded, preoperational preadolescents (9 to 12 years old), a number-representational system was used to mediate the invariance of quantity as part of "equality-rule" training. Before viewing a perceptually misleading configuration of either two equal quantities or two unequal quantities entailing the dimensions of number or length, participants learned that equality involved the assignment of two identical numbers and inequality the assignment of two different numbers. These numbers were then applied to the actual quantities and became the basis for rule statements that were rehearsed, memorized, and subject-generated each time the quantities were transformed into a new configuration. Following equality training, correct judgments and verbal justifications of conservation were high (M greater than or equal to 85%) during both immediate and delayed post-tests and for near-generalization (number and length) and far-generalization (weight, liquid substance, and solid substance) tasks. In contrast, the post-test levels of comparable participants given learning-set (LS) training, LS plus verbal-rule training (a combination of statements about identity, negation, and compensation), or no training at all were substantially and significantly lower. Equality training is of theoretical and practical interest because of its potential to teach a symbolic representational rule that directly and meaningfully articulates the quantitative properties of objects and counteracts the overreliance on task-specific and faulty perceptual cues inherent in the conservation task.     

Retraining Displaced Workers: Factors Affecting Success in Training Programs

In this study 21 displaced workers were interviewed regarding factors affecting their participation in training programs funded by the Job Training Partnership Act. Differences between program participants and nonparticipants, differences among program participants, and differences among nonparticipants were identified.     

The Career Exploration Inventory: Expanding Options for the Unemployed

The Career Exploration Inventory, an innovative interest inventory that measures work and leisure interests throughout the life span, can be used by employment counselors to assist their clients in the exploration of the interaction of work and leisure interests.     

Effects of Response Set on the Infrequent Response Index of the Strong Interest Inventory

Associations of two different response sets on the Infrequent Response Index of the Strong Interest Inventory (SII) were examined. In one, participants responded to each item randomly; in the other, participants deliberately misrepresented their responses. The finding of scores higher than those proposed in the SII manual for the Infrequent Response Index suggests an alternative interpretation of this critical index.     

Career Aspirations of Pregnant Teens

This study examined the career aspirations of pregnant teens enrolled in a program designed to minimize their chances of dropping out of high school. The teens completed a demographic data form that included questions on their career aspirations. The data were coded by Holland type using the Dictionary of Holland Occupational Codes. Trends were discussed in light of the future labor market and critical need for career counseling for this at-risk population.     

Hiring Practices for Human Resource Professionals: Implications for Counseling and Curriculum Development

Employers of human resource professionals described their hiring practices. This information is especially useful for counselors and for developing curricula for nonbusiness majors interested in human resource careers.