A review of the essentials of ability formation theory is followed by a review of recent research relevant to the question of how students develop conceptions of their abilities. The ways in which ability formation theory may be refined on the basis of recent findings regarding classroom process are discussed. (PN)

Issues examined were (1) the degree to which first-grade students engaged in within-group and across-group comparisions and were aware of group differences, and (2) the relationship between teacher praise and students' group levels and academic performances. (RH)

Critical thinking alone is reactive, in that it lacks the creative elements necessary for social progress. Accordingly, the author has developed the CoRT (Cognitive Research Trust) program to teach the two aspects of perception: breadth (developing a perceptual map) and change (using the map to discover solutions). (TE)

Provides examples of science activities in which children use their senses in manipulating objects and ideas. Suggests that these and other activities be extended to help children deepen their understanding of scientific concepts. (JN)

Relationships between intelligence test scores and measures derived from reaction time and perceptual speed procedures were investigated. Only three reaction time measures produced correlations greater than .25 with a general intelligence factor. Test-retest reliability of reaction time measures was low. The reaction time-intelligence relationship…

Explored young children's ability to contrast social roles through language, using a technique of controlled improvisation with puppets. Found that from an early age (three or four years) children are aware of a broad range of social variation and are sensitive to the linguistic means of encoding this variation. (PD)

Examined stresses and satisfactions of parenting by stage in the family life cycle in a study of 136 fathers and 149 mothers. Results showed adolescence was clearly the most difficult stage of parenting for both mothers and fathers, mainly due to issues of independence and lack of control. (JAC)

Results of a study of speech production and speech perception by adult learners of English indicate the main differences between native-speaker and nonnative speaker perception and production. Methodological issues are raised relating to the comparison of the two, and the need for further research to evaluate and refine the relationship between…

Six latent identities of deans of nursing schools are identified and discussed in terms of how the deans perceive themselves and their role, and their expectations of and dissatisfaction with the position. (TA)

Attempts to determine how significant it is to classroom teaching of race oriented topics that the instructor and students are of different races, with the premise that the increased presence of minority students and faculty on the college campus has special significance to race related courses. The study is limited to black-white interaction.…

Psychological contributions which relate to the deaf and hearing impaired are illustrated with examples in the areas of self-study, advocacy and outreach, training, service, and research. (SB)

Data demonstrated that elementary school children permitted to share decision-making in a physical education program demonstrated greater interaction with teachers and greater initiative. (GW)

The authors have formulated some impressions of differences and similarities found in these trainees. In personality, the students in these fields often display differences in need for structure, need for external support, social maturity, and desire for autonomous professional functioning. Implications for quality of service offered and training…