Two experiments were conducted with rats to investigate variables responsible for the effectiveness of using a safe platform in two-way avoidance training and to evaluate the relative efficacy of several theoretical positions (conflict reduction, reinforcement, and freezing attenuation) that were offered to explain the wide differences in…

Reports a study conducted to determine whether several key concepts related to child development could be extended to existing theory and research concerning comprehension of television by kindergartners and early primary school children. Results indicate that children's indivisual differences partially explain amount and kind of social learning,…

Research on the effects of nutrition on brain growth and functioning, and on the interaction between the environment and cognitive development is reviewed. (CL)

Presents a detailed research approach, designed for higher institutions, to evaluate their program effectiveness, with respect to students' personal and intellectual growth, and the cost involved. Helps the institutions to make more informed decisions regarding their priorities. (GA)

Instruction for six groups of 204 students enrolled in introductory psychology and sociology courses was similar except in degree of teacher vagueness and student participation. Results support conclusions that the frequency of vagueness terms negatively influences achievement while they fail to support conclusions that the degree of student…

Traces the ideas of Rousseau and Spencer concerning proper use of consequences in moral education. Concludes that behavior modification techniques retard the development of principled individuals because they neglect development of moral understanding. (Author/DB)

Three studies, testing predictions derived from Seligman's helplessness model of depression and generally supported by earlier research, are reported. The first addressed the finding that depressed individuals evidence a perception of noncontingency, the second tested the prediction that undergraduates in whom helplessness had been induced would…

This study suggests that group leaders should be aware that group members enter at different levels of personality development. Members are likely to have group expectations for their personal growth. Group leaders should be aware of their own level of expected change. Leader expectations have impact on group cohension. (MFD)

Reviews the theories of Piaget, Smilansky, Sutton-Smith, Vygotsky, and others on the role of play in child development. (SB)

The author provides a brief view of issues and developments in the field of problem solving in the light of progress made as well as implications for the future. (MN)

The author argues that the key to teaching remedial mathematics is to persuade students to believe that they will advance intellectually by learning mathematics, and that this advance will increase the possibilities open to them. (SD)

Longitudinal data on reaction time for children in the Berkeley Growth Study and the Oakland Growth Study were analyzed in terms of relative intraindividual variability. Findings indicated a major maturational and a minor learning component in the improvement of mean performance in simple reaction time with increasing age and experience.…

Differences in cognitive structure are approached through consideration of cartesian and non-cartesian knowing. Figuration and configuration are described as two layers of cartesian knowing leading to the third layer, the cognitive structure. Knowing in general is then discussed, with comments on learning in another culture, Botswana. (MNS)