Recent theories propose that autism is characterized by an impairment in determining when to learn and when not. We investigated this by estimating learning rate in environments varying in volatility and uncertainty. Specifically, we correlated autistic traits (in 163 neurotypical participants) with modelled learning behaviour during probabilistic…

Developmental aspects of auditory cognition were investigated in 5-to-10-year-old children (n = 100). Musical and verbal short-term memory (STM) were assessed by means of delayed matching-to-sample tasks (DMST) (comparison of two four-item sequences separated by a silent retention delay), with two levels of difficulty. For musical and verbal…

Handwriting and spelling problems are often associated in dyslexia. However, the nature of their association is still unclear, and most of the existing research in this area is on deep orthographies (mainly English). The extent to which findings are applicable across languages is uncertain. This article examines the effects of script…

Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder is a common developmental disorder that can cause a motor-skill delay in children. Positive illusory bias (PIB)--the belief that one is better at performing a task or a skill than one actually is--may be one cause of this delay. Although nearly everyone experiences a mild and healthy PIB, students with ADHD…

This article discusses the dilemmas encountered by non-disabled performance researchers and practitioners working with learning-disabled people. I demonstrate how the "accounts" of empirical social scientists informed my PARIP [practice-as-research-in-performance] project, "BluYesBlu," and how Judith Butler's reformulation of the concept of…

Sixty-one introductory psychology students were randomly assigned to two experimental treatment which consisted of either high or low ego-involving instructions. The entire experimental procedure, including the administrations of Spielberger's Trait Anxiety Inventory and State Anxiety Inventory, is elaborated. Results support the notion that state…

Focusing on performance and learning as two different entities, this article discusses these entities in terms of a simplified learning theory and suggests some implications for educable mentally retarded (EMR) students in industrial arts. The importance of motivation as an essential element in the education of EMR learners is also discussed. (BM)

Purpose: This study evaluated the impact of socioeconomic factors on children's performance on tests of working memory and vocabulary. Method: Twenty Brazilian children, aged 6 and 7 years, from low-income families, completed tests of working memory (verbal short-term memory and verbal complex span) and vocabulary (expressive and receptive). A…

Tests the existence of a structural shift between above- and below-average students in the econometric models that explain students' grades in principles of economics classes. Identifies a structural shift and estimates separate models for above- and below-average students. Concludes that separate models as well as educational policies are…

Discusses a group intervention for college freshmen who are academic underachievers. Notes that the intervention also serves the purpose of training beginning, graduate-level group counselors. (Author/KS)

Analyzes student performance on solution calorimetry problems in an introductory university chemistry class. Includes data from written classroom exams for 207 students and an extensive longitudinal interview with a student. Indicates learning difficulties, most of which appear to originate from failure to understand, that net increases and…

Purpose was to identify some outstanding problem areas related to poor academic performance of students in lower-level college courses, specifically attitudes, work habits, and academic deficiencies that contribute to poor performance, as perceived by faculty members. The 10 most prominent characteristics that contribute to poor performance are…

Research supported by U.S. Public Health Grant No. 293-60 to D.O. Hebb and Grant No. 298-3980 of the Medical Research Council of Canada to Virginia I. Douglas. Part of a PhD thesis submitted to McGill University (Friebergs, 1965).

The effects of a revising goal to "add information" on revising behavior and writing performance were examined for 70 5th and 6th graders. Students assigned the goal made more meaning-based changes and produced improved text quality. Procedural assistance did not appreciably enhance revising behavior or text quality. (SLD)

Despite the fact that increasingly large percentages of Hispanic individuals are being admitted into college programs, the academic success of the students admitted is considerably lower than their non-minority peers. This study focused on the examination of possible causes for the differences in academic performance at the college level for…