A functional (as opposed to structural) theory of intellectual development is presented and used to generate specific performance models for Piagetian tasks involving the control of variables (cf. Inhelder and Piaget, 1958). On the basis of these models, it is concluded that intelligent, field independent 7- and 8-year-olds should be able to…

The effect of college course content on students' growth in critical thinking was investigated. Students enrolled in various philosophy courses and a non-philosophy control were pre- and post-tested for critical thinking. Only the logic course had a consistent impact on certain aspects of critical thinking. (Author/RD)