Dependent variables such as preference, hedonic tone, aesthetic appreciation, and developmental stages are frequently observed to be single-peaked functions of the independent variables. This research addresses the problem of deriving, from more elementary underlying processes, a preference function that rises monotonically to a peak and then…

Describes a series of studies of both student and professional writers. Concludes that writers' emotions change discernibly when they compose. Finds intensified positive emotions (such as excitement and happiness), weakened negative-passive emotions (shame and boredom), and less variable negative-active emotions (including fear and anger). (SG)

Summarizes recent psychological research and theory on the topic of consciousness, and looks at three questions in second-language learning related to the role of consciousness in input processing. The discussion involves the requirement in learning a second language of subliminal learning, implicit learning, and incidental learning. (142…

The nonparametric hypothesis-testing model of M. L. Puri and P. K. Sen (1969, 1985) circumvents concerns regarding the inapplicability of nonparametric statistics outside simple cases and the lack of pertinent computer programs. The breadth and flexibility of the model are illustrated with several examples. (TJH)

Finds that, among 214 Canadian college students, subjects with high test anxiety had significantly lower overall scores on the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) and experienced greater cognitive interference during the test than subjects with low test anxiety. Groups did not vary significantly, however, on individual WCST variables. (SV)

Children aged 14 and 24 months were shown television depictions of adults manipulating toys in novel ways. Infants at both ages showed imitation of television models, even after 24-hour delays. This deferred imitation has social and policy implications as it suggests that television viewing can potentially affect infant behavior and development…

Hypothesized that young children have knowledge about their memory that they cannot articulate, but can reflect upon and use in problem-solving. Half of 48 kindergartners made prospective predictions about the number of words they would recall from a list, and the other half made concurrent, nonverbal predictions. Concurrent predictions were more…

Examined 10- to 13-year-old boys' development of knowledge structure and sport performance in tennis by comparing skills and knowledge of experts and novices. Experts focused on higher concepts and exhibited greater decision-making ability because of their more highly developed knowledge structure. (SAK)

Describes an alternate view of language learning strategies that limits their application to those behaviors that are intentional and freely chosen. A model is presented that postulates that for strategies to be used, students must be aware of one or more appropriate strategies, have reason to use them, have no impediments to their use, and should…

The definition, importance, conceptual basis, and functional nature of content validity are explored, with an emphasis on psychological assessment in clinical situations. Conditional and dynamic aspects and multiple elements of content validity are discussed, and quantitative and qualitative methods of content validation are reviewed. (SLD)

Major proposals that psychologists have made about how humans segment their world into categories are reviewed. The anthropological literature that bears on the same issues is explored, noting its implications for psychological theory. Cross-cultural data provide substantial constraints for theories of category coherence. (SLD)

As the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator becomes increasingly popular as a management and training tool, criticisms of its reliability, validity, and effectiveness have arisen. Some critics see it as a way of giving people type-based excuses for substandard performance. Proponents claim it can match people with a congruent job better than any other…

Reviews work found in the psychology literature on the nine-dot problem and suggests implications of research on insight problems. Insight problems refer to a heterogeneous group of problems that require "flashes of insight" or "leaps of logic" on the part of the solver. (ZWH)

L. L. Thurstone's revolutionary article resulted in the development of many representational measurement models, but the introduction of "true measurement" in social, attitudinal, and personality psychology did not yield the progress Thurstone envisioned. This specific model is seldom used in these areas today. (SLD)

Two biographies of Sir Cyril Burt argue the case of Britain's most famous psychologist, accused of academic fraud relating to his studies of IQ and heredity. The verdict is unclear, but lessons abound for social science researchers, students, universities, and investigators of research fraud. Contains 62 references. (SV)