Examines research that measured the effects of early child day care and how adverse findings affect the public-debate about how to provide care for U.S. children. Areas addressed include day care's effect on the mother/child relationship; its effects on child cognitive development and social development; and who is ultimately responsible for day…

Describes the transformation of research on cognition and culture from cross-cultural comparisons of psychological tasks to theory and research on people's thinking in sociocultural activities. Recent developments in sociocultural theories and research over the past three decades are summarized, and theoretical and research commonalities that are…

Draws on evidence from Alverno College's (Milwaukee, Wisconsin) longitudinal research to make the case that the Defining Issues Test (DIT) is best characterized as measuring growth in moral reasoning rather than a broader construct of moral development. Challenges current DIT theory, but is consistent with prevailing interpretations of growth on…

This paper, on a 1988-89 study of 219 undergraduates, addresses issues of cognitive development, learning style, and attitudes toward social diversity and social justice. A parallel study was conducted in spring/fall 1989 with subsequent changes noted. The table of contents presents the following sections: (1) "Background and Educational Context";…

Reviews the career and contributions of N. A. Menchinskaia, from her tutelage under Vygotsky in the 1930s, to her emergence as one of the Soviet Union's preeminent educational psychologists. For over 50 years, Menchinskaia researched knowledge acquisition and cognitive development. Discusses her major theories and places them in the overall…

Specifies rules individuals use to make moral judgments, suggesting that certain culturally transmitted excuses are generally believed to absolve people of blame for harming others. Areas discussed include accepting excuses, children's moral judgments (including Piagetian theory), accidental harm, learning excusing conditions, and a theory of…

Suggested paths that policy and practices should take in the realm of art education are made based on a review of the research done in several areas including specific knowledge about human development and human development from an artistic perspective. It is possible and desirable to devise curricula that are consistent with the values espoused…

Describes a skills development program based on research and writing subskills. Includes analyzing questions, devising a form to record information, researching and reporting findings, and supporting a point of view in persuasive essay. Explains that the program through three years of middle school, adding and refining skills each year. Suggests…

The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) and the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) collaborated on a child and adolescent development project involving roundtables of knowledgeable researchers and teacher educators. This summary report discusses major issues faced by teachers and schools,…

Considers the problems inherent in researching changes in social values and individual perspectives among selected age groups. Asserts that studies aimed at researching both aspects need to be organized as longitudinal studies. Utilizes data taken from a study of East and West Berlin adolescents to reveal specific research problems. (MJP)

Detailed accounts of activities of 19 committees of the Social Science Research Council form the major portion of this annual report. In addition, the Council president's report summarizes the activities, trends, and goals of the Council in areas such as research planning, the improvement of research methodology, and the training of competent…