This article provides an overview of how people learn and strategies that can be taught to individuals to improve their levels of academic achievement. Several examples from recent case studies illustrate cognitive controls and profiles as well as the procedures and materials employed in augmentation and transfer training. (MT)

Surveyed 205 counseling clients to examine a client-counselor matching model. Predicted four preference patterns. Results did not confirm the hypothesized four-way model. Clients who preferred directive counselors were more abstract learners. Clients preferring nondirective counselors were more concrete learners. Overall, clients preferred the…

Video feedback, coupled with self-instruction training, helps students with cognitive impulsivity to gain insights into their behavior and to improve their problem-solving ability. (CL)

Tested patients (N=80) in an alcoholic rehabilitation program for field dependence with the Embedded Figures Test and for logical reasoning with two Piagetian tasks: the pendulum and the plant problem. Results suggested that cognitive factors play a more important role in alcoholics' response to treatment than has been recognized. (LLL)

Reviews a model of cognitive development relating the self and self-evaluation, guidelines for applying the model, and counseling applications. Recognizes that individuals may vary their level of abstraction depending on such things as the source of information, the context, and the part of the self being discussed. (LLL)

A qustionnaire survey of 501 pharmacy students was conducted to assess their learning styles and the relationship of learning style to several variables. Kolb's Learning Style Inventory was used to determine learning style. The majority of pharmacy students were convergers. (Author/MLW)

Defines self-efficacy as personal judgments of performance capabilities in a given domain of activity and discusses the role of self-efficacy during classroom learning of cognitive skills. Research findings are presented showing how different educational practices affect self-efficacy. (NRB)

To examine the relationship among cognitive styles/development variables and creativity, 84 college students participated in a battery of tests. Results of both canonical correlation analysis and discriminant function analysis offered reasonable confirmation that creativity is facilitated by mobile (vs. fixed), field independent (vs. field…

In a longitudinal sample of three- through 11-year-olds, age-appropriate versions of the Matching Familiar Figures Test (MFFT) were administered. Uncorrected for attenuation, MFFT error scores were more consistent over time than MFFT latency scores for both girls and boys. Implications of results for validity of MFFT as a measure of cognitive…

The effect of designated learning strategies and reflective versus impulsive cognitive styles on performance in a maze learning task was investigated. Performance of both reflective and impulsive subjects was improved by appropriate learning strategies. (Author/MT)

This study explored relationships among elementary students' cognitive styles, Logo programing, academic achievement, and cognitive abilities. It was found that top-down processing as measured by a writing activity is positively related to Logo programing success, field independence, holistic tendencies, and general academic achievement. LOGO…

To examine the process of career indecision, 203 college stuents were given the Career Decision Scale, and the Johnson Decision Making Inventory. Results indicate that one of the Johnson types is associated with a higher degree of career indecision. Spontaneous external decision making types scored highest on the Career Decision Scale, followed by…

Administered the Life Stress Questionnaire, the Beck Depression Inventory, and the Automatic Thought Questionnaire to 140 students. Results showed significant sex differences. Men reported more stressful life change, but women rated the impact of stressors more severely and had higher depression. Men exhibited greater distortions in cognitive…

Examined preexisting psychological, perceptual-cognitive, demographic, and physical differences between 34 adults reporting near-death experiences and 386 controls. Results indicated differences in perceptual-cognitive style in those reporting near-death experiences. Medical conditions have some effect on the experience. (JAC)

A review of research points out manifestations of learning disabilities in adolescents (including low levels of basic skill levels, test-taking and study skill deficiencies, and problem solving strategies) and concludes with suggestions about counseling and instruction emphasizing learning strategy intervention. (CL)