Canadian university students tend to endorse employment-related reasons for attending university ahead of other reasons such as personal satisfaction or intellectual growth. In the present study, first- and fourth-year students from a mid-sized Canadian university reported on the benefits they expected to receive from their degree and rated their…

Examined relationship between reflective judgment and standardized critical thinking tests in college students (n=100). Results indicated students who reasoned at higher stages of reflective judgment also revealed better critical thinking skills, suggesting a developmental basis for the acquisition of critical thinking skills. (Author/ABL)

Relates the positions taken by Saint Augustine in his "Confessions" to the stages of adolescent development identified in research by William G. Perry, Jr. Provides practical suggestions for using the "Confessions" to foster moral and intellectual development. (KO)

Describes a study of level of intellectual development displayed by a population of Australian primary school education students at the time of entry to college. Results agree with United States research which indicate that a significant proportion of high school and college students is not at the level of formal operations, an idea contrary to…

Use of Perry's developmental scheme to test college students' intellectual development found that instead of developmental stages, there are two possible general attitudes taken toward knowledge: it (1) consists of facts to be supplied by faculty; or (2) is a quest in which students have responsibility for their own learning. (Author/MSE)

In an investigation of the relationship of the logical operations to other developmental sequences, 30 college students were assessed as to logical operational ability and poetic interpretation. The strong relation found between these two abilities supports the theoretically predicted applicability of central, formal reasoning structures to…

Extends prior theory and research by postulating the existence of an intermediate class of concepts called 'hypothetical'. Investigates the hypothesis that three kinds of scientific concepts exist by constructing and administering a test on concepts introduced in a college biology course. Supports the hypothesis that intellectual development…

The use of William Perry's (1970) model of cognitive development during the college years to restructure an abnormal psychology course is described. The model provides a framework for students and teachers to understand the confusion and frustration they sometimes experience. Perry proposed that students enter college with tacit epistemological…

Introduces William Perry's work on the stages of intellectual and ethical development and asserts the importance of professors linking students' intellectual development with their pedagogy. (EV)

A study of college students was conducted to identify academic skill areas in which students were deficient. Dormitory residents were surveyed by questionnaire in the fall post-midterm (N=300), fall pre-final (N=210), winter (N=261), and spring (N=128). The questionnaire measured factors of distractability, concentration, self-concept, difficulty…

The link between writing and the development of reasoning abilities, and implications for the college curriculum are discussed. The developmental models/theories of Piaget, Kohlberg, Gilligan, and Perry are described. Perry identifies a level of cognitive development called "dualism," which is a tendency to view the world in absolute,…

Seventy-one college general biology students were taught a unit in Mendelian genetics by the traditional lecture method. Emphasis was placed on meiotic formation of gametes, dominance, segregation, and independent assortment. The Punnett square model was used for all practice problems. While using this model, students were asked to: (1) identify…

This paper reviews a curriculum program that was focused on promoting intellectual and ethical development in college students. It considers it in a historical and philosophical framework, then describes a research study based on the original program. Paper presented at the American Psychological Association Convention, Chicago, 1975. (Author/BP)

William Perry's description of college students' stages of cognitive development is condensed into four classification categories, which are explained and told in an animal allegory. This presentation clarifies the theory for teacher use. (MSE)

Examined the relationship between academic major, year in college, academic performance, and reflective judgment using the Reflective Judgment Interview. Analyses of results showed significant differences for year in college but not for academic major. (RC)