Comments on the potential importance for developmental theory of recent advances in the thermodynamics of "self-organizing" systems by Ilya Prigogine and the Brussels School. Implications of the concepts of classical and modern thermodynamics of structural development for an understanding of psychological evolution and development are…

An examination of the concept of external validity from two theoretical perspectives: a traditional mechanistic approach and a dialectical organismic approach. Examines the theoretical and methodological implications of these perspectives. (BD)

Attempts to expand White's model of effectance motivation through a consideration of developmental implications. Considers such issues as developmental stages, environmental influences, success and failure effects, and perceived competence and control among others. (BD)

The purpose of this paper is to provide a formal three-step explication of a question that has been traditionally viewed as fundamental to developmental theory construction and explanation: Is behavioral development continous or discontinuous, or is it both? First, a preliminary structural definition of behavioral development involving a certain…

Examines current conceptualizations of the mechanisms used to explain cognitive and social development and possible common mechanisms linking the two areas. Considers these mechanisms for both a mechanisric and the two areas. Considers these mechanisms from both a mechanistic and an organismic perspective. Presents a developmental model which…

This article presents a scheme which would allow investigators to shift back and forth among model assumptions while maintaining the integrity of separate models of development. The scheme is illustrated in a study of 16 nursery school children's personal-social behaviors within 2 contexts during 2 time periods. (Author/JMB)

The concept of "structure" is discussed in connection with the biological and psychological sciences and shown, through a short historical analysis, to have been subject to imprecise use. The recent "structuralist movement" in the social sciences has also tended to cloud the meaning of structure rather than to clarify it. Using…

A functional (as opposed to structural) theory of intellectual development is presented and used to generate specific performance models for Piagetian tasks involving the control of variables (cf. Inhelder and Piaget, 1958). On the basis of these models, it is concluded that intelligent, field independent 7- and 8-year-olds should be able to…

This paper examines whether language development can be understood epigenetically in the same manner and based on the same principles with which Piaget has analyzed intellectual-cognitive development generally. The study is subdivided into four parts: (1) some principles in Piaget's system (the epigenetic principle, the genetic circle, and the…

This research report outlines progress made in the development of a conceptual framework (called "crystallization") which is intended to explain the conditions found to be critical to the child's potential for developmental change. The research completed and proposed on crystallization has centered around four main areas of activity: (1)…

This paper presents a study using a neo-Piagetian theory to analyze the micro-structure underlying Piaget's "control of variables" scheme. Data are presented which support the conclusion that young children are capable of acquiring and utilizing this scheme before they acquire Conservation of Weight, that is, providing (1) that the…