Lawrence University in Wisconsin has developed a means whereby time-shared terminals may be effectively used in a small college. The manner in which the terminals are employed in an introductory psychology course is indicative of their general usefulness. The time-sharing system consists of a PDP-11/20 computer (RSTS system) with 8K of core…

The present study was undertaken to assess whether training that was known to produce transfer within the Cognition of Figural Relations (CFR) domain of Guilford's Structure-of-Intellect model would also produce transfer to other operations in Guilford's model. Fifty subjects, matched for pretest score on a double classification task, were…

An examination of the influence of early bilingualism (German and Italian) on personality, social behavior, perception, and linguistic competence of four- to six-year-old Italian preschoolers (N=65) found no significant differences in social behavior, but some differences in terms of self-confidence, self-control, memory, and oral skills. (CB)

This second in a series of articles on artificial intelligence emphasizes human factors. The design of video display units and keyboards is discussed, the organizational structure of human memory is described, humans are examined as information processors using inductive and deductive reasoning, and educational implications are explored. (LRW)

Two studies investigated robustness of the effect of precise elaborations on memory and relationship of these effects to metacognitions about learning. Sentences which were elaborated in different ways were read to subjects by experimenters to establish levels of meaningfulness and identify effects on performance. Comprehension and confidence…

Separate experiments investigated parietal lobe malfunction; developmental v acquired dyslexia; whole-word, syllabic, and alphabetical reading ability; phonological recoding; and spelling. Reading processes and memory of normal and aphasic children were compared. (CP)

Children ages 3-6 years were interviewed following a scheduled pediatric clinic visit to assess their ability to remember and report incidents of body touch. Follow-up interviews were conducted after one and six months. Results suggest that children actively and accurately process their experiences and that the quality and quantity of their…

Reflects upon Steward and Steward essay on improving understanding of children as witnesses. Focuses in particular on the effect on legal proceedings of a poorly conducted or highly suggestive interview. Suggests that the major problem today is whether a child's account has been contaminated by delays or through interactions with others, and…

Examines the rationale and design of evaluations of interview protocols to be used in sexual abuse cases. Comments on the findings of Steward et al. study, in the contexts of cost-benefit analysis and ecological validity. Discusses the advantages and disadvantages of different techniques, such as enhanced interviews, anatomical dolls,…

Preliminary results from data on 146 Australian, 284 American, and 70 Norwegian preschool twins indicate reliable genetic influences on phonological awareness and memory and learning. Vocabulary, grammar, and morphology showed significant shared environment and negligible genetic effects. A print knowledge composite showed genetic and shared…

Examined cross-cultural variations in stress among Asian and Caucasian graduate students (N=204). Analyzed surveys measuring life stress, physical health complaints, and psychological health. Findings indicated some cross-cultural variations in stress and adjustment among graduate students, with Asian graduate students experiencing fewer stressful…

Genetic involvement in specific verbal and spatial abilities and memory and perceptual speed was assessed using 163 adopted and 142 non-adopted 7-year-olds and their biological, adoptive, and non-adoptive parents. Results imply the existence of some genetic continuity from the early school years to adulthood for verbal and spatial abilities. (TJH)

Fifty-five eighth grade students in regular social studies classes participated in a study of the effects of the keyword mnemonic technique and distributed practice on learning social studies facts. The keyword mnemonic and distributed practice result in improved performance, and the effects are independent and cumulative. (SLD)

Group interviews with college undergraduates revealed five social and political events that they felt had most influenced their generation: the "Challenger" shuttle explosion; the end of the Cold War; the Persian Gulf War; the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) epidemic; and the Rodney King beating and subsequent trials. (MSE)

Describes part of a research project in France involving the second-language acquisition of young children that focuses on the use of a computer augmented with a voice synthesizer. Topics addressed include written versus spoken language; multiple sources of information; self-correction; self-esteem; memory; and speed in the learning process.…