The knowledge-assembly theory is proposed to explain the acquisition, representation, and processing of knowledge. The theory assumes that both the representation and processing of knowledge change qualitatively as learning progresses. (Editor)

In an investigation of the organizational processes in the free recall of verbal material, 24 sixth graders, 24 seventh graders, and 24 mildly retarded students were randomly assigned to the cells of a 3 (grade level) x 2 (list novelty) x 2 (list organization) factorial design. (Author)

Visual, name and conceptual encoding of pictures were studied using a recognition memory task in which 4-, 8-, and 16-year-olds quickly decided whether or not pictures were identical to remembered study pictures. (SB)

One hundred and fifty psychology students, assigned to five groups, used different learning strategies (repetition, paraphrasing, linking, grouping, and hierarchy) to study three structurally different chemistry texts. The strategies that demanded recognition of linked relationships as well as retention of this information increased students'…

Studied was the development of a variety of grammatical-sensitivity and phonological skills in normally achieving, reading-disabled, arithmetic-disabled, and attention deficit disordered children 7 to 14 years old. (PCB)

Indicates that subjects spent more time reading important information than unimportant information and that, when processing time was limited, extra cognitive effort was allocated to accomplish the same result. Finds that important information was also recalled better, confirming the "levels effect." Reports three experiments supporting…

Reports the results of two studies designed to investigate the presence of six cognitive levels of intellectual performance as predicted by Bloom's taxonomy. Results of both experiments revealed a performance dichotomy with synthesis and evaluation forming the superior category. Includes examples of the text items used and draws implications for…

Reviews a study which sought to obtain a quantitative metabolic map of the neurons mediating a specific memory. Research results support notions of cooperative processes in which nonrandom behavior of high ensembles of neural elements mediates the integration and processing of information and the retrieval of memory. (ML)

The goal of this unified theory of human reasoning is to specify what constitutes reasoning and to characterize the psychological distinction between inductive and deductive reasoning. The theory views reasoning as the controlled and mediated application of three processes (encoding, comparison and selective combination) to inferential rules. (JAZ)

Investigates the effects of breakdowns in referential and factual coherence on text comprehension and reveals that the processing of factually inconsistent information hindered other information in passages. (FL)

Investigates, using eight scenarios, children making inferences about memory from incomplete knowledge and children varying in what they judge as relevant information in their schema. Showed that older children are less likely than younger ones to invoke an inferential schema when making memory judgements. (Author/BB)

The neurochemistry and physiology of memory and learning should be relevant to classroom techniques and methods of study. Findings should be examined to discover where positive and negative cross-correlated effects might occur between basic science information and educational methods. (MLW)

Two studies involved 21 reading disabled elementary students grouped as either dysphonetics (characterized by nonphonetic spelling errors) or dyseidetic readers (characterized by spelling words according to sound rather than appearance). Cognitive strategy differences were noted in visual sequential memory. Findings emphasized the importance of an…

Reading rates and comprehension measures that probed recognition of various levels of text structure were collected for passages read orally and silently by 16 college students. Results showed that memory traces of text microstructure created in oral reading were accessed faster during memory-based comprehension tasks than traces established by…

Use of strategies to eliminate interference from irrelevant information in memory was investigated for 11-, 15-, and 18-year-olds. A directed forgetting paradigm was introduced. Results suggest that 11-year-olds use adequate selective remembering strategy, but not selective rehearsal: most 15- and 18-year-olds did. (Author/DST)