Preschool children who did not group a set of geometric stimuli according to complete similarity on a pretest were taught classification wither in a modeling or in a reinforcement condition. Modeling was found to be an effective means of teaching classification behavior. (ST)

Degree of organization in presenting stimuli, and training through modeling versus guided practice, were studied on a dial-reading concept using 144 third or fifth graders. (ST)

Results of this study indicate that a model who gives verbal cues increases learning by retardates over both model-only and no-model treatments. However, a model only condition failed to differ from a no-model treatment. (Authors)

Examined the relation between the spontaneous occurrence in play of simple two-part action sequences and the frequency of these sequences and their components following modeling at 12, 15, and 19 months of age. Play following modeling was typically more advanced but only 19-month-old children generally were able to imitate complete sequences.…

Modeling and direct instruction were used to train children to cooperate rather than compete. Children in treatment conditions showed significantly more cooperation than did control groups after immediate assessment. Seven weeks later age but not treatment differences were observed in generalization of training. (Author/DB)

Tests the hypothesis that there is a relationship between children's comprehension of a syntactic form and the effectiveness of modeling in promoting imitation of that form. Subjects were 71 four- and five-year-old children. (Author/MP)

Describes "mini-lab" as one of the requirements for a university undergraduate course in child psychology. Students observe and record the activities of children in a child care center. (KC)

Discusses the importance of considering theory to be rooted in observation and suggests that no observation stops with itself but instead yields another observation. Suggests that what must occur is that teachers become prepared to observe their observations: to look and look again. (MG)

Two longitudinal studies examined social-cognitive skill emergence in 9- to 15-month olds, mother-infant interaction regarding joint attentional engagement, and infant's communicative competence. Findings indicated a reliable pattern of social-cognitive skill emergence and that amount of time spent in joint engagement with mothers and mothers' use…

This study examined the effects of similarity in competence between model and observer on the effectiveness of observational learning in argumentative writing. Results are consistent with the similarity hypothesis: weak learners learn more from focusing their observations on weak models, whereas better learners learn more from focusing on good…

Investigates a strategy for language acquisition adopted by one child and the usefulness of imitation in supporting that strategy. Examination of recordings made of naturally occurring conversations between the child and his parents indicated that he exploited imitation fully in order to acquire language. Imitative utterances surpassed spontaneous…

This article and its accompanying one address the corporate library's contribution to its parent firm. Part I reviews the literature on determining this contribution, revealing the need for a more theoretical approach to this problem. It then presents this approach. This article, Part II, reviews methodological trade-offs in pursuing this new…

This paper examined the connection between learners' metacognitive processes and their construction of personal meanings. Some concepts of the metacognitive processes such as strategy selection, planning, progress monitoring, and evaluation are reviewed. Noting that in spite of a lack of research literature in direct relation to the specific area…

A review of eight major empirical studies relating to the effects of commercial television advertising of proprietary drugs on drug use, misuse, and abuse found in general that no such relationship exists. Among the findings of the studies are the following: (1) no relationship exists between media exposure and marijuana use, (2) drug abusers view…

This paper compares the social learning theories expressed by Bandura and Gewirtz, argues for a synthesis of the two, and examines the importance of this synthesis for the field of educational technology and mass communication research. (Author)