Results of a statistical study of language in 30 infants suggest that two acquisition styles (nominal/pronominal and referential/expressive) are developing in parallel. Only for children heavily emphasizing one strategy can a distinctive style be determined. Results at 20 months were only partially predictive of performance at 28 months. (MSE)

This study investigated the hypothesis that disclosure of cognitive style map information raises the academic achievement of community college students. Experimental and control group mean differences were statistically significant. The size of the absolute difference in percentage points demonstrated a considerable effect on the semester grade.…

Investigated patterns of Bannatyne's recategorized Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (Revised) scores of Tlingit Indian Children (N=146) and investigated the proportions that exhibited a typically "Indian" pattern: Spatial > Sequential > Conceptual and Acquired Knowledge. Older children displayed an Indian pattern, but the…

A personality research study using the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator indicates that computer-assisted instruction programs favor introverts, i.e., those learners who can concentrate on details, memorize facts, and stay with a task until it is completed. (JJD)

Field-dependent and independent subjects sorted geometric and verbal material according to category exemplars, forcing active learning, and then recalled the category locations. Field-independent individuals generally performed better on learning and memory tasks with a more active approach. Active versus passive learning styles are discussed.…

Although theorists have recognized the significance of culture in learning, there is a need to develop learning theory that is pluralistic, applicable in a multicultural setting, does not conflict with the established learning patterns of children from different backgrounds, and incorporates research that explains cultural biases. (Author/MJL)

Tested the hypothesis that increased task difficulty elicits more efficient problem-solving strategies from older adults, using "Twenty Questions" tasks with either 64 or 10,000 possible solutions. Although younger adults were more efficient, there was not evidence that task difficulty affected problem-solving for either age group. (Author/JAC)

Based on Fromm's proposed personality theory of the productive and nonproductive use of four character types, studied the productive facet of the four life-style orientations. Analyses of the data from surveys of life and interpersonal relations orientations supported the four orientations suggested by Fromm's theory. (RC)

Examined the relationship between alienation and dogmatism, as measured by shared personality characteristics. Scores from the Rokeach Dogmatism Scale, the Keniston Alienation Scale, the California Test of Personality, and the Omnibus Personality Inventory were obtained for 92 college freshmen. Alienation and dogmatism were positively related…

Research is summarized on fundamentally different styles of inquiry, especially relating to the structure of the disciplines in the university as they reflect the structure of knowledge. Relations among the sciences and dimensions of cognitive style are examined, and an exercise is described to challenge perceptions of the disciplines. (MSE)

Investigated the relationship between two cognitive variables, social insight and psychological defensiveness, and scores on a validated scale for predicting early dropout or continuation in insight-oriented counseling for males (N=48) and females (N=86). Results suggest continuation for highly defended, less insightful males and highly defended,…

Speech-anxious students (N=69) classified as experiencing primarily cognitive or somatic symptoms of anxiety received cognitive restructuring, coping relaxation, a combined cognitive-somatic treatment (stress inoculation) or no treatment. Cognitive indices of anxiety indicated that matched treatments resulted in more facilitative patterns of…

Investigated the validity of two approaches to the assessment of female identity status: the standard Outer Space interview used with males, and an Inner Space interview specifically developed for females. Found that, contrary to Erikson's theory, college women form their identities around Outer Space as well as Inner Space issues. (Author/GC)

Describes development and validation of an inventory measuring five dysfunctional relationship beliefs. This Relationship Belief Inventory (RBI) was administered to couples along with measures of marital functioning and a questionnaire assessing irrational beliefs about self. Results demonstrated internal consistency, convergent validity, and…

Attempts are made to improve the previously used procedure for multidimensional scaling in the measure of conceptual level. Monte Carlo simulation runs and a laboratory experiment highlight potential incongruities related to the degree of error in the input data required by that process. Methodological recommendations are briefly evaluated.…