Critiques the attempt by David Pariser and Axel van den Berg to apply the author's methods to a cross-cultural study. Argues that their study is too flawed to be definitive. Suggests means to test the universality of the U-curve as a cognitive development pattern or an artifact of culturally defined aesthetics. (DSK)

Responds to a critique of the authors' work by Jessica Davis. Enumerates and responds to each of Davis' critiques, arguing that many of them are invalid. Defends the research design choices made by the authors and the results of their study. (DSK)

Examined the relationship of environmental input to cognitive growth in language, spatial operations, concepts, and associative memory in children tested four times six months apart and differing in the amount of school input received. Found that children made greater growth over periods with greater amounts of school input for language, spatial…

Presents a summary of the theory of multiple intelligences in the context of developmental learning. Emphasizes the implications of the theory for assessment, including a strong argument against standardized testing. Describes various methods to engage and assess the pluralistic abilities of each individual and cites practical examples such as…

A range of factors, including early experience, parent-child interaction patterns, biological factors, and life events, have been associated with the development of depression among adolescents. Relations between early experience, attachment insecurity, and later depression may be mediated by failures to develop adaptive social skills, the…

The advance of science and technology, the rise of mass consumerism, the deterioration of families, and other factors have enormous implications for career counseling. This digest outlines a constructivist career counseling perspective. This perspective is based on the following concepts: there are multiple realities and no single "God's…

This digest explores the knowledge base underpinning the present understanding of the preschool child. This knowledge base involves stages of mental and physical development, physical and psychological needs, conditions that tend to favor or retard the child's learning and development, and so on. The eight chapters of this digest focus on: (1)…

This book explores how learning is the lifetime quest to understand personal identity, purpose, and meaning while conforming and adapting to the perceived and real confines of a paradoxical society. It examines the complex social experience of learning, revealing how culture, gender, race, and other societal factors shape and mold an individual's…

The questions proposed by this study were: (1) Do students in the teacher preparation program develop relativistic thinking in the present course of their teacher preparation studies? and (2) Would a written modified reflective judgment interview be feasible as a screening device to help educators assess the development of reflective judgment in…

The need for ongoing evaluation of physical education programs in the context of the total school curriculum is discussed, and the following objectives of physical education are identified: 1) development of attitudes toward physical activity based on individual student needs; 2) experience in physical ability; 3) knowledge about physical ability;…

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN A CHILD'S SOCIAL ENVIRONMENTS AND HIS DEVELOPMENT WAS STUDIED. A MAIN AREA OF CONCERN WAS CULTURAL DISADVANTAGE AMONG CHILDREN FROM LOWER SOCIOECONOMIC BACKGROUNDS. THESE CHILDREN NOT ONLY FELL BEHIND IN BASIC SCHOLASTIC GROWTH, BUT ALSO RESPONDED MINIMALLY TO THE FUNCTION OF THE SCHOOL. THE BASIC PHILOSPHY OF THE…

UNDER THE DIRECTION OF PROFESSOR BRUNER, THE CENTER FOR COGNITIVE STUDIES AT HARVARD UNIVERSITY HAS CARRIED OUT A SERIES OF STUDIES ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF COGNITION. THERE HAVE BEEN OVER 30 EXPERIMENTS ON THE GROWTH OF PERCEPTION, PROBLEM-SOLVING, AND REASONING BETWEEN THE AGES OF 3 AND 10, IN PURSUIT OF A THEORY TO ACCOUNT FOR THE CHANGES IN…

Personality development and structure formation were studied in 60 preadolescent children (aged 9 to 13). Six major aspects of preadolescent individuality were assessed: cognitive controls, performance on the Holtzman Inkblot Test, intellectual abilities, general response to clinical testing, general response to laboratory testing, and defense…

This paper discusses Piagetian theory on children's cognitive development and its relevance to an early childhood science program. Children, at different stages of their development, exhibit characteristics of behavior or of thinking which may or may not affect how and what they learn in the classroom. It is suggested that subject-matter content,…

The Ypsilanti Perry Preschool Project was an experiment to assess the longitudinal effects of a 2-year preschool program designed to compensate for functional mental retardation found in some children from disadvantaged families. The program consisted of a daily cognitively oriented preschool program and home visits each week to involve mothers in…