Proficiency in language arts and communication skills is essential to success in the global workforce. Most states assess students in language arts literacy (LAL) through standardized tests that assess a student's ability to read, interpret literature, and write expressively. Although educational reformers strive to improve the foundations that prepare students in literacy, reforms have not fully incorporated the theory of emotional intelligence (EI), which explains a student's ability to use, understand, perceive, and manage their emotions in order to think critically, make decisions, and solve problems. Although it is not known whether EI directly correlates to literacy, emotional skills are an integral part of literacy, linguistics, and overall cognition. The purpose of this quantitative study was to determine whether a correlation existed between EIQ (measured by the Mayer, Salovey, and Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test), and LAL (measured by the High School Proficiency Assessment) in literacy, for secondary students. The multiple regression model included 2 control variables: gender and grade point average. The findings of the primary analysis demonstrated positive correlations between EIQ and LAL scores. Upon further analysis, the relationship between EIQ and LAL remained positively significant in the regression model. Emotional intelligence, and associated improved literacy skills, may positively influence social change by helping secondary students to develop a broader repertoire of skills necessary for communication and problem solving later in life.

Cyberbullying is harassment through the Internet or other technologies. Forty-two percent of youth nationally have experienced cyberbullying and 53% admitted to being the cyberbully. A lack of understanding by adults of cyberbullying logistics and impact causes cyberbullying to remain a serious issue that has not yet been appropriately addressed within schools. A sequential, mixed methods study was implemented to investigate the prevalence of cyberbullying in one middle school and to determine the nature and impact of the experience in order to inform site-based interventions. Bandura's social learning theory, Bronfenbrenner's ecological framework, and Agnew's strain theory provided this investigation's theoretical foundation. Two separate web-based data collection tools were administered sequentially. Descriptive survey data showed that 37.8% of students had experienced cyberbullying, 56% observed cyberbullying, and that eighth grade students experienced a higher incident rate of cyberbullying (42.1%). Inductive coding of qualitative data from the questionnaire conducted with eighth graders contributed to the identification of emergent themes related to the psychological and educational impact. Specifically, these themes included symptoms of anger, depression, thoughts of violence, and interference with learning. Overall key findings from this study showed that cyberbullying is prevalent at this site and cyberbullying experiences have had a debilitating impact on psychological functioning, environmental comfort, and educational engagement. This study informs social change by providing information to tailor school-based solutions that can effectively decrease incidence of cyberbullying among students within this educational community.

The transition to middle school is often associated with negative effects on academic achievement, motivation, self-esteem, and psychological well-being. Educators at a Grade 6 through 8 middle school in the northeastern United States observed students struggle with the adjustment to middle school. Research suggests that developmentally responsive schools can significantly reduce the potential negative impact of middle school adjustment. Drawing upon developmental theories from the works of individuals such as Piaget, Erikson, and Maslow, the purpose of this single-case study was to capture the opinions, thoughts, and perceptions of the students transitioning into middle school to better understand how they perceived their developmental needs were supported and where additional support was necessary in order to facilitate a smoother transition to middle school. Three focus group interviews, one for each sixth grade team, were conducted. Additional data were obtained by reviewing anonymous student writing samples completed for the school's transition team. Both data sets were analyzed by applying a typological analysis process. Data analysis indicated students believed the transition programs effectively oriented them to procedural aspects of middle school; however, students expressed the need for additional academic and social-emotional support as their first year of middle school progressed. Findings guided the development of a facilitator's guide for student support groups wherein additional academic and social-emotional assistance can be provided to students in transition. Implications for social change include a proactive program that promotes student achievement and positive social-emotional development.

The present study presents an empirical analysis of the relevance of psychologists’ historical education within the framework of Latin American psychology. The ‘chronic doubt’ about the formative aim of historiography is first characterized. The ways in which such historiography is a central input in Latin American and Argentinian psychologists’ training and education is then described. The results of a descriptive, mixed socio-bibliometric analysis of the literature used as readings (n = 798) in undergraduate historical courses at Argentinian psychology programs are presented. Findings indicate a marked predominance of texts and scholarship by Argentinian authors, a marked scarcity of Latin American authors and themes, and a problematic depiction of psychology’s historical pluralism. We conclude on the implications of such results for a critical history in the Latin American psychologists’ education, and on the need to contextualize local history in regional history of science. / El presente estudio constituye un análisis empírico de la relevancia de la educación histórica de los psicólogos en el marco de la psicología latinoamericana. Se caracteriza la ‘duda crónica’ sobre el sentido formativo de la historiografía, describiéndose las formas en que dicha historiografía representa un insumo central en la formación de los psicólogos latinoamericanos y argentinos. Luego se exponen los resultados de un análisis cuantitativo y cualitativo descriptivo, de tipo socio-bibliométrico, sobre la literatura utilizada como bibliografía (n=798) en asignaturas históricas de carreras de psicología en Argentina. Los resultados indican un predominio marcado de literatura de autores argentinos, una escasez marcada de autores latinoamericanos y una representación en ocasiones problemática del pluralismo histórico de la disciplina. Se concluye sobre las implicaciones de tales resultados para una historia crítica en la formación de psicólogos latinoamericanos y sobre la necesidad de contextualizar la historia local en la historia regional de la ciencia. / La présente étude constitue une analyse empirique de la pertinence de l’éducation historique des psychologues dans le contexte de la psychologie latino-américaine. Le “doute chronique” sur le sens formatif de l’historiographie est caractérisé, en décrivant les manières dont cette historiographie représente un apport central dans la formation des psychologues latinoaméricains et argentins. Les résultats d’une analyse descriptive quantitative et qualitative, de type socio-bibliométrique, sur la littérature utilisée comme bibliographie (n = 798) dans le contenu des cours historiques de carrières en psychologie en Argentine sont présentés. Les résultats indiquent une prédominance marquée de la littérature écrite par des auteurs argentins, une pénurie marquée d’auteurs latino-américains et une représentation parfois problématique du pluralisme historique de la discipline. Il conclut sur les implications de tels résultats pour une histoire critique dans la formation des psychologues latino-américains et sur la nécessité de contextualiser l’histoire locale dans l’histoire régionale de la science. / O presente estudo constitui uma análise empírica da relevância da educação histórica dos psicólogos no quadro da psicologia latino-americana. É caracterizada a “dúvida crônica” sobre o sentido formativo da historiografia, descrevendo as formas pelas quais essa historiografia representa um aporte central no treinamento de psicólogos latino-americanos e argentinos. São apresentados os resultados de uma análise quantitativa e qualitativa descritiva, sócio-bibliométrica da literatura utilizada como bibliografia (n = 798) em disciplinas históricas de carreiras de psicologia na Argentina. Os resultados indicam uma marcada predominância da literatura dos autores argentinos, uma escassez marcada de autores latino-americanos e uma representação problemática do pluralismo histórico da disciplina. Conclui sobre as implica- ções de tais resultados para uma história crítica na formação de psicólogos latino-americanos e sobre a necessidade de contextualizar a história local na história regional da ciência.

This qualitative study aimed to trace the psychotherapeutic development of clinical and counselling psychologists across the careerspan within the South African context. Through purposive sampling 34 psychologists were recruited according to the inclusion criteria of the study. Five distinct career levels were explored, namely, student (n=10), intern (n=7), early career (n=7), experienced (n=5), and senior (n=5) psychologists in relation to the Society of Psychotherapy Research’s international model of psychotherapist development. By means of semi-structured interviews, couched in the social constructionist position, participants’ experiences were thematically analysed from over 600 pages of transcription. Additionally, the researcher’s personal journey of developing as a psychotherapist was reflected upon. The current study found that a number of aspects fostered the development of psychotherapists. Participants reflected on personal and familial wounding events that influenced them choosing a career as a psychologist; this awareness was gradual over their development. Across theoretical orientations, participants resisted adhering to one way of working in light of the diverse South African context. However, the need to limit the number of theoretical orientations taught within the first months of training was proposed. Professional sources of influence highlighted by participants were personal therapy and peer supervision or reading groups. Qualified professionals to a lesser extent made use of individual supervision which when pursued needed to be a ‘felt’ collaboration. Participants found as they developed they became more comfortable being a psychotherapist however the complexity of cases still kept them humble. Limitations of the study, potential future research directions as well as recommendations for practicing clinical and counselling psychology were outlined. / Psychology / Ph. D. (Psychology)

Despite training and support, many middle school teachers struggle to create, implement, and enforce research-based strategies to manage students' behaviors. The purpose of this case study was to examine teachers' perceptions about the barriers of managing student behavior. The research questions investigated 9 teachers' perceived barriers of managing student behavior at one middle school and the observed actions of these teachers' reactions to student behavior. Each participant was asked to participate in a 45-minute semistructured interview to examine their perceived barriers of managing student behavior and the strategies they use to manage student behavior relative to McGregor's theories X and Y. To support and compare teachers' perceived barriers, each participant was also observed teaching for two 45 minutes sessions. Interpretative data analysis strategies were used to read, review, record, and code the transcribed data from the interview transcripts and observation field notes. Predetermined and developed themes were triangulated from the interviews, observations, and review of literature. Findings revealed that the inconsistency among school administrators and the lack of support from parents as well as teachers were barriers for managing student behavior. Mutual experience shared among participants and the data collected indicated a need for professional learning for teachers and administrators in the area of student management. Results from this study will promote positive social change by providing insight on the barriers educators need to overcome to manage student behavior and the existing strategies that are being used. Furthermore, the results of this study could aid in reducing teacher burn out and teacher retention rate as well as increasing teacher morale.