Reviews three alternative cognitive approaches for verbal comprehension. Discusses a theory of learning from context and cites empirical data to support the theory. Presents a componential framework for understanding verbal comprehension and suggests that the ability to acquire information from context is a key source of individual differences in…

Birth-order is unrelated to verbal and nonverbal IQ performance of either Black or White children; family size is inversely related to the verbal IQ performance of both groups but not to their nonverbal performance; and the inverse impact of family size on verbal ability does not differ significantly by race. (Author/RM)

Four groups of 7- to 10-year-old girls (N=37), who were either (1) hyperactive, (2) reading disabled, (3) hyperactive and reading disabled, or (4) solely attention disordered, were contrasted with male counterparts on measures of intelligence, achievement, personality, and cognitive style. Among findings were significant sex differences across…

The mental development of 332 preschool-age children with orthopedic disabilities was assessed at a children's hospital over a 10-year period, and comparisons were made for right-handed and left-handed. The left-handed children were slower than right-handed children in learning speech and language skills (Author/SEW)

This study attempted to determine whether certain demographic factors, Intelligence Quotient tests, or achievement tests best predict achievement of second through fourth grade students. Findings suggest that the group mental ability test did not add to the knowledge gained from a comprehensive achievement testing program. (Authors/PP)

Item difficulty patterns of four groups of nonreferred, average children (ages 7 1/2 and l0 1/2)--Anglos, Blacks, Chicanos and Bermudians--were compared on each of the verbal subtests of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised. Item difficulty curves were remarkably parallel. (Author/HLM)

An explanation is sought for the striking apparent failure of the interactions of intelligence and memory factors with socioeconomic status predicted by Jensen's Level I/Level II theory, in a study by Stankov, Horn and Roy (EJ 239 630). It is suggested that Level I ability is a category of narrower abilities involving rote learning and primary…

The effectiveness of several methods used to identify intellectually superior black children was evaluated. Findings suggest that less commonly used identification methods, such as parents' opinion and the Leiter International Performance Scale, may point out these children more accurately than do traditional measures. (Author/PP)

Recent empirical evidence for the influence of examiner's race on examinee's performance on intelligence tests is reviewed. The current literature, 1966 through 1980, offers little support for the hypothesis that examiner's race has a systematic effect on examinee's performance on intelligence tests. Conceptual and methodological issues are…

Discusses two cases in which Black schoolchildren challenged the validity and cultural fairness of standardized, individually administered intelligence tests; Larry P. versus Riles and PASE versus Hannon. Describes the diametrically opposed outcomes of the decisions, highlights important similarities, and critically analyzes each court's reasoning…

Considers the effect of providing two different response modes, free response and a multiple choice format, on concrete-abstract performance. Suggests if task format plays a role in subject response, then it also enters into a person's score on some intelligence test measures. (Author)

Reviews research on the effects of Montessori schooling on children. Results are presented in six sections: (1) general verbal intelligence; (2) perceptual, motor, and performance IQ development; (3) academic achievement and school readiness; (4) attention, concentration, resistance to distraction, and impulsiveness; (5) Piagetian conceptual…

Classroom teachers rated school behavior of 44 children, aged 12-17, of schizophrenic parents and 70 children of normal parents. Results showed children of schizophrenic parents had greater interpersonal disharmony, less scholastic motivation, more emotional instability, and lower intelligence than control children, but differences in introversion…

Analyzed WISC-R profiles of 42 conduct problem children to generate hypotheses concerning the children's intellectual strengths and weaknesses. Used a variety of subtest groupings to interpret ability patterns. Findings revealed relative strengths in perceptual organization skills, and weaknesses in skills that involve sequencing, memory, and…

While some forms of test bias (for example, bias in selection and prediction) appear amenable to definitional consensus, a definition of cultural bias will remain problematic so long as it is confused with the nature/nurture issue. (Author/BW)