The research investigated relational and analytic cognitive styles among 11 adult learners. Thirteen hypotheses were formulated and an instrument was developed to collect data on both styles. Predictions about learning environment preference were given reasonable support. (Author/EC)

Reported is a method of investigating thought processes of an 11-year-old girl concerning physical phenomena such as those underlying the operations of scientific apparatus--platform balance, the spring balance, the magnet, and the pendulum. It was discovered during a period of interviews that the subject's thought processes developed in such a…

In the present study an examination is made of a relatively new approach to the assessment of learning environments. (Author)

The purpose of this study was to examine possible relationships between moral and cognitive development in second- and fifth-grade children. Sixty children were used in the study. Levels of cognitive development were evaluated using four learning tasks and moral development was assessed by presenting four conflicting situations to each subject for…

The foundations of knowledge by tradition have been treated analytically, and knowledge has been characterized as a theoretical subject. This article introduces a steering mechanism as the prerequisite for a study of knowledge work and maintenance on empirical grounds. Knowledge is treated synthetically, that is, as something that exists only…

The study attempted to measure the impact of diverse instructional methods on individuals whose learning styles tended to fall along a concrete-symbolic continuum as measured by a learning activities questionnaire. Two assumptions were made: (1) those with highly concrete learning styles learn best by direct contact type activities and (2)…

The goal of the Beginning Teacher Evaluation Study (BTES) is to identify teacher behaviors which are related to student learning. This report focuses on the relationship between the amount of instructional time devoted to mathematics in grade 2 and student achievement in mathematics. Achievement tests were administered in nine classrooms before…

Using student ability, measured by grade point average and cognitive structure, as measured by the number of high school and college courses in science and mathematics, as predictor variables, the investigator attempted to determine the reliability of the use of advance organizers to enhance the retention of meaningful concepts. Students enrolled…

Reported is a study related to diagnosing elements of propositional thinking in the cognitive functioning of 62 sixth- and seventh-grade students. The rationale is based on the work of Piaget and others. Instruments used to diagnose levels of abstract thinking involved using computer simulated experiments (CSE). The direct and indirect effects of…

This study attempted to determine if there was a stable and preferred mode of perceptual organization and conceptual classification of stimuli which influenced the ability of female pre-service elementary teachers to acquire the science concepts presented in a general elementary credential preparation course. It is an example of ex post facto…

Reported is an experiment undertaken to determine the extent to which analytic and global cognitive styles differed in developing or utilizing a selection type strategy in concept identification. Using the Hidden Figures Test (HFT) in five sections of an introductory psychology class, two groups of students, one analytical and one global, were…

SEVERAL EXPERIMENTS ON THE CONCEPTUAL BEHAVIOR OF LOWER AND MIDDLE CLASS CHILDREN ARE DESCRIBED IN AN EFFORT TO CLARIFY AN APPARENT DISCREPANCY BETWEEN PREVIOUS LABORATORY FINDINGS AND OBSERVED CLASSROOM PERFORMANCE. IN THE FIRST EXPERIMENT, INDUCTIVE CONCEPT LEARNING WAS INVESTIGATED AS A FUNCTION OF SOCIAL CLASS MEMBERSHIP AND PRIOR EXPERIENCE.…

A new framework for designing qualitative studies is described to optimize the emergence, representation and presentation of insights. The framework, called Reflection Methodology, is presented as a "Conversational Paradigm" that includes four components--interviewer (researcher as participant); child, task situation, and observing…

Content and task dimensions of social studies items were studied using factor analytic techniques. These items were developed to measure concept attainment using a completely crossed design with 30 concepts and 12 tasks. Conventional factor analyses were performed, separately for boys and girls, for concept scores and for task scores. Three-mode…

Eight propositions regarding the interaction of teachers and students to create educational outcomes are presented and discussed: 1. It is necessary to look at both cognitive and affective outcomes whenever we want to evaluate the effectiveness of teachers, or an educational program. 2. There is a need for more research on the reciprocal…