Ten language-impaired children, aged three-four, were observed playing with toys and with objects requiring object transformations for play. Chronological age-matched normal subjects performed more object transformations than either the language-impaired subjects or children matched for mean length of utterance. All children performed more object…

Two studies on M-capacity found factor-analytical and correlational evidence that five M-capacity tests share a common source of variance and that, as subjects' increase in age, scores increase at a similar rate. Results suggest that, in the 6-11 age range, M-capacity can be measured with a battery of tests. (AA)

Six experiments involving 262 children (as young as 16 months and as old as fifth grade) indicate that the basic framework for coding location is present early in life and that later development consists of an increasing ability to impose organization on a broad range of bounded spaces. (SLD)

Developmental differences in behavior and self-perception were examined in 44 children suspected of having been sexually abused and 41 comparison children. Results suggest that subjects' self-perception varied by their developmental level, and that some preschool children responded to abuse with elevated perceptions of themselves. No group…

Three samples of 24- to 54-month-old children with Down's syndrome were assessed using the Ainsworth Strange Situation Procedure (ASSP) of attachment security and scored according to traditional protocols. Found that developmentally younger subjects were more difficult to classify using the standard scoring rules and that the ASSP may be measuring…

Examined whether age-related change in naming time reflects automatic access of familiar names because of greater familiarity with the named objects or global change in speed of processing. The path analyses and structural-equation modeling of 8- to 13-year olds were consistent with the second explanation. Time and age were linked to reading…

Multivariate hazards regression analysis of data from the 1979-85 National Longitudinal Mortality Study provided mixed results concerning the social integration hypothesis of suicide. Among white males, divorced or separated men and those living alone had significantly higher risks of suicide mortality, but single and widowed men did not have…

Compared two kindergarten classrooms for variance in computer use. Found no significant difference in computer use by sex or age, but a significant increase in computer use by classroom in the second half of the 12-week project compared to the first half. Found no significant difference in the software selected. (HTH)

Assesses the environmental awareness of 610 German and 610 Russian adolescents age 12, 15, and 18 years. In both countries, anxiety, sadness, and anger about environmental destruction were high, but hopelessness was rejected. Levels of environmental awareness were strongest for the youngest participants. (SLD)

Compares two ways of examining the gender and age stereotypes of jobs, using characteristics of incumbents and potential suitability. Seventy female and 66 male college students provided gender and age perceptions for 58 jobs. Results support conceptual and empirical distinctions between perceived incumbent job perceptions and suitability ratings…

Explored developmental patterns of gender traditionality and flexibility in 479 children and adolescents. Found that age was positively associated with self-flexibility (a composite of gender-related preferences and self-ratings) and tolerance for others engaged in gender-atraditional behavior. Most variables assessed contributed significantly and…

Examined patterns of mothers' and fathers' differential treatment of first-born and second-born school-age siblings in 110 families and the links between parents' differential treatment and children's well-being and dyadic family relationships. Found that parental patterns were linked to differences between the siblings' well-being and that…

Using hypothetical scenarios in which sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) can be transmitted, college freshmen and seniors were asked to explain why they believed the characters should or should nor engage in risky behaviors. Results indicated that seniors had a significantly higher stage of moral reasoning than the freshmen when responding to…

Two experiments examined causal links among age, processing time, articulation time, and memory span in elementary school children. Found that age was correlated posssitively with memory span but negatively with processing and articulation times and that age-related change in processing time was associated with a decrease in the time required to…

Maternal treatment of sibling pairs with affectively ill and well mothers was examined in relation to child psychiatric status across childhood and early adolescence. Found that older siblings' symptoms were predicted by maternal bipolar or unipolar illness, whereas younger siblings' symptoms were predicted by lower maternal engagement and higher…