Relates the problem-solving behavior of second, fourth, and sixth graders to conceptual tempo. Correlations with indices of strategic and efficient performance on a pattern-matching task confirmed that reflectives are more strategic than impulsives. A task-analysis identified the sources of inefficiency for each child and related these sources to…

The study with noninstitutionalized organic and familial mentally retarded and borderline mentally retarded children (N=79) at 2 chronological age levels (mean ages 7 and 10) found no age differences in imitation behaviors in the organic low IQ group and more absolute imitation and recall behaviors in familial low IQ children. (Author/DB)

Previous research in classification preference has focused on only a few selected age groups. To investigate the classification preferences of individuals from early childhood through old age in the same study, 144 individuals between the ages of 4 and 70 completed a revised version of the Conceptual Styles Test. Analysis of results showed that…

A group of 16 infants (ages 6 to 24 months) with Down's Syndrome (DS) were exposed to two operant learning tasks varying in control of reinforcement. Comparison with chronological and developmental age matched controls found DS subjects characterized by increasing adoption of counterproductive learning behaviors with increasing age. (Author/DB)

Describes cognitive style in terms of field dependence-independence, and five tests of cognitive style for young children. Discusses the relationship between cognitive style and academic achievement in young children. (RJC)

Despite the relevance of moral development to professional education, little research has been done to examine the application of moral development theory. To relate Analytic Interactive Style to post-formal operational thinking or "unitary operations thinking," to test the relationship between level of moral development and Analytic…

Adolescents (n=327) in grades 8-12 and college students (n=235) completed questionnaires measuring their preferred learning styles (dependent, independent, competitive, collaborative, and participative) and their preferences for teacher communicator styles (e.g., open, attentive, relaxed, precise, friendly, dominant). College students exhibited…

Attribution theory and gerontology would be enriched by the application of a life-span approach to attribution, involving increased attention to the age of the stimulus person and developmental factors associated with self-attribution. In studies on achievement attributions about older people, chronological age appears to be a more salient cue for…

Examines developmental changes in the resolution of conflicting goals involved in self-evaluation among children entering second, fourth, and sixth grades who represent high, medium, and low ability levels in arithmetic. Results are discussed in terms of strategies for balancing self-assessment with self-enhancement needs. (Author/RWB)

Self-directed, or independent study activities were studied in adolescents, as well as their antecedents and consequences. The interrelationships, across age and grade, of several variables were described; i.e.: course requirements and conditions, student characteristics, study activities, and school achievement. First, autonomous learning…

This study investigated whether significant group, gender, and grade differences existed in the learning style preferences of high school students with learning disabilities (n=53) and gifted students (n=64). Findings indicated significant group differences in preferences for light, design, and kinesthetic modality, as well as for motivation,…

This study compared achievement of students learning programing in pairs and individually and examined relationships between cognitive abilities, style, and demographics. No differences were found in programing outcomes, but mathematics and verbal ability best predicted individual setting outcomes, while nonverbal reasoning, spatial ability, and…

The estimation processes used by fifth through eighth grade students as they responded to computational estimation test items were examined. Interview-based process descriptions were cross-validated using large group test data from an open-ended test and a multiple choice test. Five question formats were used to test different estimation…

This study compared learning style preferences among gifted African-American (n=54), Mexican-American (n=61), and American-born Chinese (n=40) middle grade students attending Chicago, Illinois, public schools. Significant ethnic, gender, and grade differences were found. All three groups preferred studying in the afternoon and bright light and did…

Compares the approaches to study of external students to those of a matching sample of internal students and discusses the relevance of current learning theories to studies of mature external students. The usefulness of the "Approaches of Studying" inventory for describing study habits of external students is also examined. (MBR)