Examined preschoolers' inductive inferences across biological and non-biological kinds. Found support for gradual-enrichment model of conceptual change. Four-year-olds had a limited, coherent, independent biological theory which may form the basis of mature understanding of biological kinds. Explored results in terms of multiple explanatory…

U-shaped developmental functions, and their N-shaped cousins, have intrigued developmental psychologists for decades because they provide a compelling demonstration that development does not always entail a monotonic increase across age in a single underlying ability. Instead, the causes of development are much more complex. Indeed,…

The article examines learning and identity formation for young people in an Australian surf club. Drawing on Lave and Wenger's notion of situated learning, it identifies how membership in the surf club from an early age involves highly significant and meaningful learning and identity formation, where learning is co-constructed with other members…

This paper discusses a theory of the formation of social stereotyping and prejudice in children. This intergroup-developmental theory of prejudice has three primary goals: to account for the development of stereotyping and prejudice across multiple domains; to provide a developmental account of social stereotyping, outlining how developmental…

This paper discusses the utility of a general systems theory paradigm for psychology. The paradigm can be used for conceptualizing such complex phenomena as change over time in living systems, person-society interactions, and the epistemology of multiply determined changes. Consideration is also given to applications of the approach to…

Using a sample of 77 10th grade boys, the researchers studied the relationships between the mental abilities measured by the Differential Aptitude Tests and cerebral dominance (CD: the extent to which one hemisphere of the brain dominates the other for control of behavior). The surprise finding was that CD was negatively related to spatial…

As a background to the present research, preliminary discussion is focused on Piaget's formulation of moral development in the child and recent investigations based on that formulation. The objective of this research was to assess the interrelationships between level of moral judgment maturity and several other sectors of development. A moral…

There is an assumed relationship between a person's self-esteem, speech anxiety, and low cognitive complexity, but further research is needed for support of this premise. An important question to explore is how a child with speech anxiety (lack of confidence in communication situations) perceives others. Based on balance theory, the answer is that…

Three articles compare the development and achievement of Russian elementary students in an experimental program with those in a conventional program. Results show an intensive inner motivation toward cognitive activity on the part of pupils in the experimental classes that was lacking in pupils in the conventional classes. (Author/RM)

Articles on IQ testing are presented: "Opportunity and Intelligence" (Stephen White); "Beyond the IQ: Education and Human Development" (Howard Gardner); "Beyond IQ Testing" (Robert J. Sternberg); "Working Smarter" (Roger J. Peters); "Varieties of Mind" (John L. Doris, Stephen J. Ceci); "Human…

Explores the relationship between knowledge and change and asks what knowledge is of most worth. Outlines 10 knowledge skills providing learners with the basis for coping with change. Failure to master these skills will leave future adults powerless in a complex, power-driven world. (MLH)

Adults sometimes fail to appreciate the depth of understanding shown in children's art. Examination of drawings in the Prospect Archive (North Bennington, Vermont), a collection of 200,000 pieces of children's art, suggests that houses have great meaning for children and that much can be learned about children from their drawings. (IS)

The physical education curriculum offers children an alternative means of communication. It also has the potential to give children a sense of personal worth and control which establishes a basic foundation for self development. (JN)

Reviews significant recent research and information related to the beginning period of human life, and specifically discusses the developing fetus and infant, and the surrounding environment in which the infant is born and reared. Suggestions for prevention of mental-health problems are offered. (Author/DB)

Children identified for specific reading retardation were tested at initial contact and after two years on a variety of measures including seat activity, and cognitive and motor steadiness tasks. Speed of response and motor steadiness showed moderate to very high consistency over the two years. (Author/SJL)