The cognitive characteristics involved in a relatively field-dependent or field-independent cognitive style and the personal characteristics associated with these contrasting styles have been shown to play a role in a) students' selection of electives and majors, b) vocational preferences they experience early in their academic careers, and c) the…

The author's approach to the conceptualization and measurement of natural cognitions which may have some relevance for the study of values is presented. Research on natural cognitions, or ideas entertained by people before an experimenter comes along to disturb them attempts to assess pre-existing concepts which are grouped initially according to…

Retention of verbal material presented in a normal linear manner was compared to retention of the same material presented in simultaneous messages for this study. The subjects were 180 undergraduates, and each was randomly assigned to one of the nine experimental groups formed by combinations of presentation--linear, two simultaneous messages, or…

Presents the results of investigating mature readers' focal points when viewing letters, words, and phrases. Several hypotheses from the experiments imply subconscious preprocessing for the mature reader. (JM)

Points out that the future of technical writing can be sustained only if teachers persist in setting for technical writing the same standards they apply to other sophisticated modes of writing, and if they require refinement in style as well as accuracy in content. (MS)

Stating that the most pressing and puzzling scientific questions are questions about properties, not about change, the authors examine Piaget's and other theories of human development. Disputes the constructivist view that the initial cognitive state is one of emptiness, showing that from birth, humans react to certain stimuli in specific ways,…

Three conceptual frameworks for examining the cognitive response to film are reviewed. It is suggested that a phenomenological rather than atomistic conception of the film-viewer interaction will be most useful for the generation of further studies in this area. (Author/RM)

Tests the existence of a "U"-relationship between stimulus complexity and time estimation and suggests this relationship can be better explained by considering the personality variables of extroversion and introversion and their interaction with stimulus complexity. Results confirmed the existence of a quadratic relationship between…

In the artistic process the artist verifies and exemplifies his or her perceptions and conception of their work. This paper discusses the model of the artistic process which describes the repertoire of perceptual clues that the artist develops. The rationale for the development of the model is for the art teacher to be able to explain in simple…

Research supported in part by a grant from the U.S. Public Health Service. (DD)

Research supported by research grants from the Canadian Defense Research Board and the Canada Council. (VM)