A promising line of inquiry concerning the development and use of formal operations strategies is presented and a number of conceptual and empirical questions are raised. (Author/PN)

Witkin's concepts of field dependence-independence and restructing are discussed with reference to studies in Russia and in the Netherlands. These concepts are related to differences in style of perception and to success on both cognitive tasks and social tasks. It is suggested that restructing abilities may be trained and restructing ability may…

Twenty second grade students were tested to determine the possible relationships between concrete operations and reading and between cognitive clarity and reading achievement. The subjects performed six Piagetian conservation tasks and four tasks on cognitive clarity. Reading achievement was based on student records. The data on the relationship…

Two statistical indices of distinctness (intensity) were developed to measure patterns of cognitive preference scores. Results indicated a variety of cognitive preferences, and the distinctness variable was shown to be a useful tool in cognitive preference research. (CJ)

Investigated proportional reasoning abilities of 35 college science students using projection of shadows problem while presenting relevant only or relevant/irrelevant information. Field independence was measured using Group Embedded Figures Test. Students in relevant only condition performed significantly better. Degree of field independence…

The purpose of this study was to compare performances by Japanese and American children on the Matching Familiar Figures Test, the primary measure of cognitive tempo. Data on more than 3400 Japanese and American children (approximately half male, half female) were used. Factorial analyses of variance revealed significant age x nationality…

Investigated personality dimensions concomitant with learner's cognitive rigidity. Results indicated the personality dimensions of tenseness, compulsivity, group dependency, absent-mindedness, sensitivity, and emotional stability explained 36 percent of the variability in subjects' increasing levels of cognitive rigidity. Showed a pervasive use of…

This paper, on a 1988-89 study of 219 undergraduates, addresses issues of cognitive development, learning style, and attitudes toward social diversity and social justice. A parallel study was conducted in spring/fall 1989 with subsequent changes noted. The table of contents presents the following sections: (1) "Background and Educational Context";…

Edmund W. Gordon, noted for his research on diverse human characteristics and pedagogy related to the education of low-status populations, responds to questions on learning styles and their modification, cultural background, hemispheric dominance, instructional design, teaching methods, matching teacher and student characteristics, and the use of…

This 1990 study of 165 undergraduates considered the application of cognitive development theory to social justice education. The table of contents presents the following sections: (1) "Why apply cognitive development theory to social justice education?" (2) "What is cognitive development?" (3) "Setting the background and context for the study";…

A new concept, relativistic operations, seems to provide a link between Piagetian theory, information processing theory, logical thought in the new physics, and the nature of adults' problem solving in everyday social situations. Relativistic operations are logical, cognitive operations which can be used as a system to relate, order, and select as…

Investigates (1) the relationships between cognitive performance and cognitive styles and predictive possibilities and (2) performance differences by sex, school, grade, and income in 92 Indian adolescents. Assessment measures included Liquid Conservation, Islands, Goat-Lion, Hanoi-Tower, Rabbits (Piagetian); Block Design (WISC-R); Paper Cutting…

Examines the interaction between mode of computer assisted instruction and cognitive style on the understanding of concept relationships and mastery of factual information. Finds learners are more effective when matched to the appropriate mode of computer assisted instruction. (MVL)

Two studies on cognitive performance in mentally retarded children are reported. In the first study, the Bayley Scales of Infant Development were administered to 56 mentally retarded children, aged 2 to 6, to determine the possibility of discerning subsets of items that form a developmental pattern of interrelated subscales, using the SCAMMO scale…

Although student evaluation of instruction forms are used by colleges to provide information to instructors and administrators, personality and cognitive style variables of the student raters are rarely considered. A cognitive developmental measure, the Paragraph Completion Test (PCT), two cognitive style measures, Bieri's Modified Rep Test and…