This study was concerned with the evaluation of a communication skills works hop for elementary school teachers titled, Self-Actualizing Education sponsored by the Psychology Department at Utah State University and funded under a rural development grant from the Kellogg Foundation. The purpose of the study was to evaluate objectives related to the interaction of students and teachers with regard to: (1) student attitudes towards teachers; (2) student misbehavior; and (3) student-teacher verbal communication. Testing was done on a control-experimental, pre-post basis. The treatment consisted of a nine week communication skills workshop, held two to three hours once per week. Twelve teachers and 531 students, grades one through six, participated in the study. Objectives of the Study The following objectives were formulated as an evaluational guide for the study: To determine whether or not teacher talk incorporates more Flanders Interaction Analysis System category 1, 2, and 3 responses and less category 6 and 7 responses, after teachers have completed the in-service communication skills workshop titled, Self-Actualizing Education; To determine whether or not student talk shifts from responding to initiating, after teacher participation in the communication workshop; To determine whether or not student misbehavior in the classroom decreases after the communication skills workshop; To determine whether or not student attitudes become more favorable towards their teachers after the workshop. In order to evaluate these objectives three data gathering instruments were employed: (1) the Flanders Interaction Analysis System; (2) a student misbehavior checklist; and (3) two student attitude surveys. Findings From analysis of the data, the following conclusions were made regarding this study: (1) teacher talk did not incorporate more Flanders Interaction Analysis System category 1, 2, and 3 responses and less category 6 and 7 responses as a result of teachers having participated in the communication skills workshop; (2) student talk did not shift from responding to initiating after the workshop; (3) a significant decrease (p < .05) in student misbehavior after treatment did occur; and (4) student attitudes toward their teachers did not change as a result of the workshop.

The connection between intrinsic motives and positive psychological outcomes has been widely demonstrated, and has been extended to Self-Determination Theory concepts of the self-determination continuum and the three basic needs. However, only a small amount of literature has looked at this connection in relationships, especially with friends. Therefore, this study sought to investigate Self-Determination Theory in relationships with friends and partners. The main hypothesis was that selfdetermination and the three basic psychological needs' fulfillment in relationships, would be positively correlated with relationship satisfaction.

Thesis (M.Ed.)--University of Hong Kong, 1991. / Includes bibliographical references (leaf 92-113). Also available in print.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2001. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 215-223). Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2001. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 215-223). Also available on the Internet.

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Sufism is a living mystical tradition with tools and a theoretical framework geared to facilitate the realization of one’s full potential. This thesis examines the nature of such a realization, which culminates in an experience of nondual Self-realization. Transpersonal psychology provided the conceptual framework for this study, as it attempts to document the role that altered states of consciousness play in facilitating health and wellbeing. This research also drew heavily from the methodology of phenomenological hermeneutics and transpersonal phenomenology, which supported the investigation into the lived experience of five Sufi practitioners. The guiding research question of this exploratory inquiry asks, What has been the lived experience of Sufi practitioners on their journey towards nondual Self-realization? The research findings consist of eight themes that emerged during the analysis of the textual data. The implications of these findings impact the health and counseling fields, as well as the environmental crisis. / viii, 253 leaves ; 29 cm

This thesis examines the psycho-spirtual transormations of the journey towards Wholeness. Two questions presented themselves asking "What are the actual themes that emerge from the stories of those on a journey" and "What are the transformational experiences encountered along a journey towards Wholeness?" A phenomenological hermeneutic research format was used to investigate and understand the particular themes that emerged from the co-researchers stories. This methodology allowed the researcher to approach the phenomenon being investigated with respect and sensitivity in honouring the actual lived experiences of the co-researchers. Under this framework, research interviews were conducted with nine co-researchers; seven men and two women, which produced a set of narratives depciting the lived experiences of those on a journey towards Wholeness. Through a hermeneutical analysis of the deep meanings embedded within each narrative a collection of sub-themes were arranged and from them nine major themes emerged. They included: 1) vulnerable beginnings, 2) a journey into the unkown, 3) journeying through relationships, 4) a turbulent encounter with ourselves, 5) the guru-disciple relationship, 6) exposing the root of suffering, 7) the end of seeking, 8) radical understanding, and 9) luminous impersonal existence. A summary of the findings was provided along with a look at the limitations of this study and the implications this study has in the counselling relationship. It is clear that the powerful experience of letting go to separate self existence, conventional notions of space and time, and the journey altogether leads to the understanding of Wholeness right here, right now. / vii, 177 leaves ; 28 cm.

This study examines impediments to dynamic moral awareness. Following the understanding of knowledge developed by Michael Polanyi and Bernard Lonergan, ethics is presented not as a science of abstract norms and principles, but as a transformative science of reflection on moral activity. Drawing from the social sciences, negative structural patterns which corrupt transformative awareness are examined under the rubrics of self-deception, social ignorance, ideology, dependency and social conformity. These investigations identify and analyze sociological and psychological features of dynamic relationships preventing or corrupting processes of personal transformation and the building up of moral human community. At each stage of the study, the central role of economic and political structures and conditions influencing modern consciousness, and defining society, are taken into account. This research provides insights and analytical tools to increase our capacity to become aware of the subtle social psychological dynamics which stifle human creativity and block moral and social development within contemporary society.

The problem of the study was to investigate the relationship between college students' spirituality levels and their alcohol use. Using a 56-item questionnaire modified from three other instruments, a convenience sample of 438 undergraduate students enrolled in an introductory Health Science course at Ball State University voluntarily completed the questionnaire in Spring semester 2005. Bivariate correlations indicated a statistically significant relationship between lower levels of alcohol use and higher levels of spirituality. Additionally, a statistically significant difference was found in the level of spirituality between males and females, Christians and Non-Christians, as well as in the drinking levels between students younger than 21 years of age and students 21 years of age and older. Results of this study conclude that the more spiritual college students are, the less likely they are to participate in unhealthy drinking behaviors. Based upon the findings and within the limitations of they study, spirituality seems to serve as a protective factor against alcohol use. / Department of Physiology and Health Science