Summarizes cross-cultural studies of cognitive skills, emotions, and self-images found in responses to drawing tasks by children, adolescents, and adults. Its aim is to find out whether cultural differences in scores on the Silver Drawing Test can illuminate cultural preferences and contribute to cultural practices. (Contains 21 references.) (GCP)

Business schools have made efforts to inject critical thinking into programs by adopting critical management pedagogy or teaching managerial decision making. A more comprehensive approach would include critical thinking and decision making but also address other managerial thinking tasks and challenges. (Contains 79 references.) (SK)

Describes a study conducted at Gallaudet University to assess the need for programs to improve the cognitive skills of hearing-impaired college students. Indicates that 91 students who received systematic cognitive instruction had better logical reasoning, reading comprehension, and math scores than students who did not receive this instruction.…

Results support previous findings that the competence to reason deductively becomes available in adolescence. Prior to the availability of this competence, performance is poor regardless of the relevance of propositional content. A clear developmental progression was evident between Grades 6 and 12; 16 percent of sixth graders were classified as…

Developed and administered Reasoning about Abortion Questionnaire (RAQ) to measure how persons view abortions. Pilot tested the RAQ on 134 college students and modified scale on basis of data. Administered revised RAQ to college students (N=230) replicating factor pattern and obtaining evidence for validity of polarity scores through structured…

Observes that preparing and searching a database will help students analyze, synthesize, and evaluate data, but stresses the need to distinguish between teaching how to process information and how to think. Sees the database as a tool in teaching social studies but maintains that the primary goal is to teach thinking skills. (CH)

To thrive in the 1990s, we must teach students how to think, create ideas cooperatively, select among equally attractive alternatives, and use far-minded flexibility in groups. School leaders can help by promoting new teaching and assessment methods, creative assignments, thinking research funding, business involvement, joint training…

This article briefly describes 10 well-regarded thinking skills programs, categorized as either infused programs, which are integrated into the established curriculum, or separate programs devoted to teaching skills. A program buyers checklist is provided. Additionally, a resource list is given which includes other notable programs, competitions,…

Describes a technique for vocabulary instruction in which students complete a chart by providing two synonyms, an antonym, and the pronunciation of a given word. Reports that, even though the chart is easy to complete, students using it began to think both critically and creatively. (RS)

Replies to Robert Ennis' article, "Critical Thinking and Subject Specificity: Clarification and Needed Research" (April 1989), on subject specificity in the literature on critical thinking. Discusses the transferability of critical thinking skills from one topic to another. Considers the possibility of general thinking skills that apply…

Responds to John McPeck's article, "Critical Thinking and Subject Specificity: A Reply to Ennis" (May 1990), and summarizes his earlier essay. Covers the following topics: (1) versions of subject specificity; (2) vagueness; (3) the distinction between school-subject matter and the subject matter of everyday life; (4) subjects and topics;…

Three studies examined young children's reactions to a message-desire discrepant task in which a speaker gives a message based on a false belief. A correct nonliteral interpretation of the message required taking into account this false belief. Found that even children as young as three understood that these messages were a product of internal…

Reviews controversies over different conceptions of critical thinking and its application to education. Discusses the relevance to and impact of critical thinking on bibliographic instruction. (JKP)

Describes a study that examined student (n=100) understanding of five chemistry concepts: (1) chemical change; (2) dissolution; (3) conservation of atoms; (4) periodicity; and (5) phase changes. Conclusions included that the use of particulate terms increased across grade levels and reasoning ability is a significant factor for student…

Eight experiments examined whether certain human problem-solving mechanisms should be expected to represent probability information in terms of frequency. Findings are consistent with literature indicating that frequentist representations eliminate various cognitive biases, including overconfidence, the conjunction fallacy, and base rate neglect.…