Evidence from video tapes of experts thinking aloud and using analogies in scientific problem solving is presented. Four processes appear to be important in using an analogy: (1) generating the analogy; (2) establishing confidence in the validity of the analogy relation; (3) understanding the analogous case; and (4) applying findings to the…

This chapter presents a review of the latest research on advance organizers, and provides instructions for constructing and using them. The theoretical background of the advance organizers research is presented, beginning with the work of Ausubel, and this work is related to the writings of Piaget. An outline of advance organizer research is then…

This study examines the development of emotion in 108 children from a small Northern California city aged 6-7, 8-9, and 10-11 years. The paper specifically examines: (1) children's beliefs about emotion management that contribute to their preinteraction expectancies; (2) the sorts of socializing messages children appear to be responding to; and…

Cognitive psychology, which investigates how people learn and how people know, can aid writers, who want readers to read their material easily, understand the material, or comprehend the material--three levels of processing complexity. Because readers vary from being very knowledgeable in the subject of a document to lacking in knowledge, and…

Social and ethnic differences in moral judgment are examined, and a critique of the cognitive-developmental model is presented in this paper. In opposition to Piaget and Kohlberg, the thesis advanced is that morality and moral development are culturally and socially determined constructs. While Piaget postulated the presence of qualitatively…

Evidence points to a pervasive tendency for persons to behave to maintain their existing cognitive structures. One strategy by which this self-verification is made more probable involves information processing. Through attention, encoding and retrieval, and the interpretation of events, persons process information so that self-confirmatory…

A number of college students in forensic debate may be deterred from debating broad topics due to a lack of appropriate cognitive development and a perception of unacceptable certainty. These students have failed to develop formal thinking patterns because they lack reinforcing experiences in reasoning at that level. A sequenced pattern of…

How the computer as a metaphor affects our understanding of the processes of learning and teaching is explored. After describing reflection and recursion in mathematics and their roles in thinking and learning, models of the mind and teaching effects are discussed, with self-awareness as a theme. (MNS)

Reports concepts which 12th-grade physics students hold about motion before and after a lecture is given. Compares quantitative and qualitative research methodology and describes some responses to test items. Shows six questions, student responses, and typical incorrect explanations used by students. (YP)

First-, third-, and fifth-grade students saw matters involving intellectual conventions and personal preference as more variable across time and space than matters involving logic and physical laws. Furthermore, intellectual conventions were seen as legitimately changeable by social consensus and school authorities, but not on the basis of…

This study examined the effectiveness of a simple browse search strategy and a more complex analytical strategy with 25 high school students, using an electronic full-text encyclopedia. Captured keystrokes and student essays were analyzed for retrieval performance and information application. No significant differences between types of search…

This study investigated whether differences existed between novice and experienced high school teachers in their recall and analysis of problem events during interactive teaching. Results are described. Implications for teacher educators are discussed. (Author/MT)

Analyzes writing samples of 22 first graders and 13 second graders to determine how children learn the rules of punctuation. Finds they develop necessary hypotheses which are alternative to the standard end-sentence period placement rule. Suggests young "language scientists" need opportunities to practice this innate trade: rule formation. (NH)

Examines the role of human information processing and decision-making capabilities and limitations in the design of effective human-computer interfaces. Several cognitive engineering principles that should guide the design process are outlined. (48 references) (Author/CLB)

Reports on a study in which clinical interviews were conducted with three elementary school children to determine the extent to which they held naive misconceptions about important biological topics, and to determine agewise trends in the development of biological knowledge. (TW)