Investigated the development of formal reasoning among students (ages 10-18 years) from predominately White, middle-class communities located in rural, suburban homogeneous, and suburban heterogeneous areas. Results indicate clear differences among communities in formal reasoning ability. Implications for using science instruction to promote…

Discusses whether formal thought constitutes a structured whole and role of propositional logic in advanced reasoning. Presents aspects of advanced reasoning model, considering hypothesis generation/testing as central processes in intellectual development. Argues that advanced reasoning schemata are linked by these processes and should be…