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Este trabalho examina a construção cultural de saúde e doença entre os índios siona da Colômbia, cujo sistema médico pode ser caracterizado como um sistema xamânico tanto no que se refere às representações de saúde e doença, quanto às práticas de cura. A doença não é vista como um processo puramente biológico/corporal, mas como o resultado do contexto cultural e da experiência subjectiva de aflição. A experiência da doença é construída através dos eventos ocorridos no processo terapêutico e da interpretação destes eventos. É analisada a relação entre narrativa, interpretação e o processo terapêutico. Uma narrativa tradicional sobre uma batalha xamânica é apresentada para demonstrar como a narrativa fornece pistas para a interpretação de causas ocultas num universo xamânico. Em seguida relato um caso de estudo que indica o papel da narrativa no processo dinâmico de atribuir significado aos eventos e também na estruturação da ação. This work examines the cultural construction of the experience of health and illness among the Siona Indians of Colombia, whose medical system can be characterized as a shamanic system, both in terms of its representations of health and illness as well as its curing practices. Illness is not seen as a purely biological and physical experience, but as the result of the cultural context and the subjective experience of suffering. The illness experience is constructed through the events in the therapeutic process and the interpretation given to these events. The relation between narrative, interpretation, and the therapeutic process is examined. A traditional illness narrative is presented to demonstrate how narrative presents elements for the interpretation of invisible causes in a shamanic universe. This is followed by a case study, which shows the role of narrative in the dynamic process of attributing meaning to the events as well as for the structuring of action.

Two studies with first- and fifth-grade children in two learning tasks showed that preoperational children did not necessarily learn responses followed by a stimulus object previously instrumental in obtaining a reward, while postoperational subjects did. (Author/JMB)

The hypothesis that multiple-choice exams load higher on Level II ability than on Level I ability was confirmed by correlating multiple choice tests with the Cognitive Abilities Test Nonverbal Battery, the forward digit span test, and essay measures. Differences in scores among Asian, black, white, and Mexican American students are discussed in terms of Jensens' theory. (Author/JAC)

Examines the belief that age differences in memory are due primarily to input processes and secondarily, if at all, to retention processes. Examines this assumption by utilizing a test-retest paradigm with varying rehearsal conditions. Subjects were first- and second-grade children and college students. (BD)

Trotman's study (EJ 168 902) correlating child rearing in Black and White samples to children's achievement and intelligence is criticized. Trotman made several erroneous conclusions, and did not add important information about the nature nurture controversy as it applies to racial differences in intelligence. (Author/BH)

Grade inflation and its causes are studied. (DE)

SANTA MONICA HIGH SCHOOL, IN 1960-1961, ESTABLISHED A PROGRAM DESIGNED TO HOLD A SELECTED GROUP OF POTENTIAL DROPOUTS IN SCHOOL IN ORDER TO IMPROVE SCHOLASTIC MOTIVATION, REDUCE DEVIANT BEHAVIOR, DEVELOP INTERPERSONAL RELATIONS, AND PROVIDE PRELIMINARY WORK EXPERIENCE. TWO EXPERIMENTAL AND TWO CONTROL CLASSES WERE FORMED. THE STUDENTS ATTENDED CLASSES 3 HOURS IN THE MORNING UNDER ONE TEACHER, PARTICIPATED IN PHYSICAL EDUCATION, THEN SPENT THE AFTERNOON ON A JOB IN THE COMMUNITY. DISCIPLINARY AND ACADEMIC RULES WERE MADE FLEXIBLE. A SPECIAL COUNSELOR SERVED AS A CONFIDANTE FOR THE STUDENTS. EVALUATION REVEALED A GREATER PERCENTAGE OF DROPOUTS FOR THE CONTROL GROUP THAN FOR THE EXPERIMENTAL GROUP. EACH MEMBER OF BOTH GROUPS WAS INTERVIEWED AT THE BEGINNING AND END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR REGARDING ATTITUDES TOWARD SCHOOL. THE EXPERIMENTAL GROUP'S ATTITUDES WERE MORE POSITIVE THAN THOSE OF THE CONTROL GROUP. HOWEVER, POLICE RECORDS INDICATED THAT THE EXPERIMENTAL GROUP HAD AN INCREASED NUMBER OF POLICE CONTACTS AS COMPARED TO THE CONTROL GROUP. PERSONALITY TESTS REVEALED VERY LITTLE, ONLY THE SOCIAL REACTIONS TEST SUGGESTED AN IMPROVEMENT IN THE EXPERIMENTAL STUDENTS' ABILITIES TO INTERPRET SCHOOL SITUATIONS. THROUGH THIS EVALUATION, STRICTER RULES, GREATER EMPHASIS ON ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE, BETTER STUDENT ATTITUDES, AND BETTER COMMUNITY COOPERATION WILL BE SOUGHT IN THE FOLLOWING YEAR'S PROGRAM.

Dirks (1982) reported that the WISC-R Block-Design subtest score is amenable to 30 minutes of practice effects transferring from a commercially available game. This claim is not without some theoretical significance in view of the evidence suggesting that spatial ability is relatively immune from such environmental effects. The Dirks study involved a game that is nearly identical to the BD subtest. The present experiment investigated two spatial games of lessor but more typical similarity by using the WPPSI. No transfer effects were found.

This work examines how the narrative tradition of the Siona Indians regiments the illness experience into a structure of relevance and consequentiality as well as how it provides a model for the generation of persona/narratives. A text that can be considered a prototypical model of an illness narrative is examined. This narrative, as others of its kind, furnishes a model for interpretation and action in ongoing illness situations that defy routine and commonly known therapies. This is done in two ways. One is through narrative structure that establishes a set of certain questions and expectations as to the consequentiality of events: how they evolve, the nature of motives behind misfortunes, and strategies for resolution. The second is through provision of codes or signs that aid in the interpretation of hidden events. In this sense, the illness narratives are not predictive, but indicate what is relevant for interpreting illness and organizing a plan of action. Resumo: Este trabalho examina o modo pela qual a tradição narrativa dos indígenas Siona organiza a experiência de doença em uma estrutura relevante e conseqüente, bem como de que modo ela proporciona um modelo para a construção de narrativas pessoais. Um texto que pode ser considerado como um modelo prototípico de uma narrativa de doença e examinado. Esta narrativa, como outras análogas, fornece um modelo para a interpretação e ação em situações persistentes de doença que desafiam a rotina e as terapias geralmente conhecidas. Isto opera de duas maneiras. A primeira se dá através da estrutura narrativa que estabelece um elenco de determinadas questões e de expectativas em relação às conseqüências dos eventos: como estes evoluem, a natureza das motivações da desgraça, e estratégias para sua resolução. A segunda se faz par meio do fornecimento de códigos ou signos que auxiliam na interpretação de eventos ocultos. Neste sentido, as narrativas de doença não fornecem receitas, mas indicam os elementos que são importantes para a interpretação da doença e para a organização de um plano de ação.

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