Discussion centered on three sets of factors that may influence the variability observed in "concept identification" (concept formation and discrimination learning) studies: stimulus characteristics, incentives employed, and subject characteristics. Stimulus characteristics are described in terms of the number of dimensions…

Two techniques were used to modify an impulsive conceptual tempo on a visual discrimination task. The subjects were 42 first grade white children who had previously been classified as impulsive or near-impulsive on the Matching Familiar Figures Test given to 82 children. These subjects, who had scored above the median on errors and below the…

This study represents one principal's effort to develop a school climate of teaching and learning to improve academic achievement for students at Intermediate School 158, Bronx, New York. In this program the staff was encouraged to create a diversity of learning environments related to the learning styles of pre-adolescent inner-city youth.…

Examined with 95 educable mentally retarded male Ss (9-10.5 years old) was the relationship between anxiety and outerdirectedness. Ss were given the Test Anxiety Scale for Children (TASC) and a measure of outerdirectedness involving a puzzle task. Zero correlation was found between anxiety and outerdirectedness; and the same results were found…

This study successfully replicated and extended previous research on cognitive preferences of talented high school students, using the Science Cognitive Preference Inventory (SCPI). Four modes of cognitive preference were interpreted: (1) factual information or recall; (2) principles; (3) questioning; and (4) practical applications. (CP)

Describes the Personalized Learning Program at Texas Tech University, which explores self concept theory and the relationship of teaching and learning styles to personality preferences, through a program of research and seminars. (AYC)

Effects of instruction with Foundational Approach in Science Teaching (FAST) environmental science materials on Hawaiian high school students included increased interest in studying science and higher achievement in high school biology. On the whole the FAST program has had positive effects on students regarding achievement, interest, and…

This study was designed to investigate whether student ratings of a modular instruction program were related to the cognitive style, field dependence-independence, of the 85 rating students. It was found that on 14 of 28 course evaluation items student response differed by cognitive style. (Author)

Major findings of this study involving undergraduate music majors showed that the variables of language-bound/language-optional and field dependence/field independence significantly affect aural skill learning. The relationship of reflection/impulsivity to achievement in aural skills was found to be negligible. (Author/RM)

Young children were grouped according to socioeconomic status determined by their parents' educational level (college, high school, or less). Subjects were assigned tasks on sets of pictures which could be organized on the basis of taxonomic or complementary relations. There were no significant differences in level of recall or clustering.…

Primary care physicians were surveyed regarding their preference for lecture, hands-on, and problem-based learning sessions. Analyses found no significant relationship between individual learning style as determined by the instrument used and instructional preferences. The discussion examines potential reasons for these findings. (CT)

Learning styles-based instruction uses the strengths and preferences of disabled and at-risk students to tailor instruction to their needs. This article defines learning styles, outlines the learning style characteristics of at-risk students, presents a global/analytic reading styles checklist, and describes 11 strategies for basing instruction on…

Provides information on (1) a general indication of change in the cognitive structure of students associated with chemical comprehension; (2) the comparison of clusters of concepts; and (3) a graphical representation of the links among concepts. Argues that constrained word associations serve as a useful tool for mapping aspects of cognitive…

The study sought to determine if increased lesson structure could aid elementary school students with low perceptual structures. Findings indicated that increased lesson structure did not significantly improve science achievement for the participating grade four and five students. (ML)

Describes a study of the effect of adjusting teaching methods to coincide with the learning preferences of students enrolled in a small, predominantly Black, community college. Reveals that students in the group in which teaching strategies matched learning styles had higher achievement gains than students taught with the lecture method. (DMM)