Synergistic psychology has been proposed as a meta theory for synthesizing different psychological theories into an explanation of how social, cognitive, and biological factors interact in human behavior. The basic theoretical assumption in synergistic psychology is that internalized social interactions become higher mental functions that regulate…

This study measured the physical fitness, levels of creative thinking, and attitudes about physical education in second graders enrolled in physical education programs with different curricular focus: (1) aerobic fitness; (2) movement education; and (3) standard classroom teacher taught curriculum. Seventy-seven children and five teachers…

Divided into six sections, this book focuses on creative pupils and creative reading, special considerations when developing programs for gifted students, materials and resources, meeting the writing needs of gifted students, suggestions for meeting their unique needs, and future trends regarding the gifted. The titles of the articles and their…

Using examples from children drawing in a year one classroom, this article examines firstly, how drawing operates as a unique mental tool, and secondly, the role of drawing in the construction and development of knowledge. Young children utilize prior knowledge and experience to negotiate and construct meaning through their interactions with…

This study provides preliminary evidence as to the validity of measures derived from the "Tests of Scientific Thinking" (TST). The TST and the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) were compared with regard to their relationships to interests, self-appraisals, and accomplishments of students during their first year of graduate work in…

AN INQUIRY (SPECIFIC DISCOVERY) APPROACH TO LEARNING WAS SUBJECTED TO A RIGOROUS TEST AND EVALUATION PROGRAM, INVOLVING ELEMENTARY INSTRUCTION IN THE PHYSICAL SCIENCES. STUDENTS IN THE FOURTH, FIFTH, AND SIXTH GRADES SERVED AS SUBJECTS. EVALUATIVE CRITERIA WERE (1) SCIENCE CONCEPT ACHIEVEMENT, (2) DIVERGENT THINKING OR CREATIVITY, AND (3)…

STUDIES OF CREATIVITY AND OF PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTURBANCES IN CHILDREN HAVE SUGGESTED THE PRESENCE OF SLUMPS (OR INVERSIONS) WHICH MAY BE CORRELATED WITH DEVELOPMENTAL TRANSITIONS. THE MOST NOTABLE OF THESE OCCURS AT ABOUT THE FOURTH GRADE AND IS THE OBJECT OF THIS STUDY. THREE SETS OF INVESTIGATIONS WERE UNDERTAKEN--(1) A STUDY OF CREATIVE…

A study was conducted to identify types of mental operations of 4- and 5-year-olds and to relate them to the child's age and the educational level of the mother. The sample consisted of 423 white English-speaking children of American parentage, evenly divided by sex and as evenly distributed as possible over the 12-month-age range of 4 to 5 years.…

This book combines background information on language and communication with methods for developing specific skills needed to cope with the daily communication problems. Comments on environmental effects on language development, on differences in dialects, on reasons for teaching grammar, and on types of grammar precede a discussion of the impact…

This curriculum guide presents objectives, learning activities, evaluation suggestions, and resources for 13 areas related to creative thinking: (1) observing, noticing, and memory stretching; (2) comparing; (3) classifying; (4) developing language through the senses; (5) finding cause and effect relationships; (6) summarizing; (7) looking for…

Problem solving flexibility (PSF), an ability commonly assessed in creativity batteries, was studied in a sample of middle class children (grades 1 through 3, average IQ 114), tested on questions resembling Guilford's consequences procedure. An hypothesis linking PSF with alertness to and interest in the environment was generally supported, more…

Fourteen science fiction stories are collected and arranged under the themes, MarsAmerica, Progress, Machine, Society, and Weapons. These stories make statements about the present as well as the future and allow students to confront that future before it overtakes them. The purpose of the anthology is to prepare students for the different…

This book contains strategies for bringing out energetic, active participation in every training session. "Bright Idea" sections offer ready-to-use solutions, and a full complement of checklists, forms, and additional resources help the trainer take training to new levels of fun, participation, and results. Chapter 1 explores how the brain…

This monograph is designed to be a tribute to E. Paul Torrance, a renowned creativity researcher, university teacher, and mentor. It is presented in three sections, the first of which is a discussion of Torrance's life. It reviews his childhood in rural Georgia, his academic accomplishments, the emergence of his interest in creativity and the…

Examined associations among three psychological characteristics and classroom performance ratings of prospective teachers who were assessed on personality style, creative thinking, motivation, and classroom performance competency during student teaching. Student teachers completed psychological evaluations, and their supervisors evaluated their…