The symposium is described as being devoted to the question of whether and to what extent action may constitute a useful paradigm for developmental psychology, where action is understood as voluntary behavior employed by the agent as a means of attaining certain ends. (Author/RH)

To illustrate the need for careful analysis, discusses (1) intrapersonal versus interpersonal paradigms of intention and (2) differentiation between reason and cause and their joint consideration.(RH)

Points out that while some symposium papers pursue a model of the individual mind, others explore the social mind. Argues that concepts of cognitive theory originally based on social existence have been deformed to emphasize the individual as a self-contained entity.(RH)

Summarizes the general perspectives represented in the symposium and attempts to reconcile them by reconstructing a dialog between them. Issues addressed include the intersubjective nature of intentionality, the nature of action theoretical explanations, and the distinctive characteristics of action theory. (RH)

An action theoretic account of skill learning and skill use is offered as a useful heuristic for life-span developmental psychology. The version presented is one that is particularly prominent in industrial psychology in the German-speaking countries. (Author/RH)

Describes the symposium on action theory presented at the 1983 meeting of the International Society for the Study of Behavioral Development in Munich. The symposium included reactions to action theory from a variety of theoretical perspectives. (Author/RH)