Proposes a developmental theory of sex differences in intelligence that states that the faster maturation and brain size growth in girls up to age 15 compensates for their smaller brain size so that sex differences in intelligence are very small. Discusses evidence that supports this theory. (SLD)

Erik Erikson concluded that differences in the play constructions of young children are largely determined by psychosexual differences in the subjects and not by cultural influence. He suggested that additional observation of younger and older subjects could determine whether the differences were true for all ages or whether they were restricted…

Study supports the hypothesis that boys and girls, at the time they enter school, do not show the sex-related patterns of fantasy that have been found to differentiate adult men and women. By the age of about 9, sexual differentiation in fantasy patterns is clearly evident. (Authors/CB)

Developmental record ratings were obtained for 200 institutionalized mentally retarded children (5-19 years old) over a three-year period. Results indicated that differences in measured intelligence are associated with differences in developmental behavior and that between the ages of 7 and 20 years the relationship is a linear one. (Author/SW)

Investigates developmental change and gender differences in sympathy and personal distress reactions in children. Examines interrelations among indexes used to assess sympathy and personal distress. (PCB)

Investigates the representative frequencies of aggression of 43 children at the ages of 2 and 5 years. Dimensions of physical aggression at age 2 predicted dimensions of physical aggression at age 5. Frequency, initiations, and average length of aggression decreased between 2 and 5 years of age. (RJC)

Vocational aspirations were investigated in a sample of 282 children between the ages of three and six. Results indicate that the pattern of vocational projection differs for males and females and that females undergo occupational foreclosure earlier than their male peers. (Author)

Discusses the interaction of age and sex factors on consistency of recognition of 71 Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test pictures by preschool children. (TO)

An important task for children is to acquire their culture's rules for emotional display. Accurate knowledge of display rules prescribing, for example, safe targets for anger or indelicate situations for excitement helps regulate expressive behavior and mediate the impact of emotional expression on the self and others. In this study, children's…

This study examined research on children's block play, using content analysis to review 75 documents that focused on such play. Each document was coded by type (empirical study or nonempirical article) and by 15 topics and 76 subtopics grouped into 4 broad categories: (1) environment/ecology; (2) block play and the school curriculum; (3) block…

Recent research findings show that experiences alter the anatomical structure of the brain, that the effects of experience on the brain differ at different ages and between males and females, and that brain development is not complete until about age 18. (SV)

Learning of the concept of horizontality by fourth graders was investigated. Comparisons by age and sex were made. (BB)

Investigated developmental changes in the perceived usefulness of help from the perspective of the person receiving the help. Results indicated a development increase in the perceived usefulness of help across the school-age years. Girls consistently perceived help as being more useful than boys, and girls were generally rated as the most…

Research supported by grant MH-08667 from the National Institute of Mental Health, and Public Health Service General Research Support grant 1-S01-FR-05632-02 from the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare.

The promise of joking riddles as a developmental index of children's humor was investigated through studying the enjoyment and comprehension of riddles and nonriddles by first-, third-, and fifth-grade normal children. Based on previous studies, it was predicted that enjoyment and comprehension of riddles would increase with age and that the…