Discusses and compares the meaning of epistemic uses of modals. Demonstrates that the relation between them is not as simple as has been frequently suggested. The article bases its observations on the data from a corpus of parallel French and English texts, pointing out that such a corpus can open new avenues for investigation of an old topic. (18…

Argues that Bartsch and Wellman are successful in analyzing natural language to understand the emergence and development of a theory of mind in everyday social interaction. Discusses their delineation of the transition from a focus on desire to a concept of belief, and describes their views on contextual and cultural variables in theory of mind…

Examines the concepts of "symptom" and "diagnosis" from an interdisciplinary perspective, drawing on elements from cognitive linguistics, clinical decision-making research, and conversation analysis. Specific focus is on how prototype theory and the notion of fuzziness can enhance the understanding of these concepts. (29 references) (Author/CK)

Argues that reasoning is not governed by mental logic or models. Proposes new operational semantic theory, in which reasoning is based on children's operational understanding of key terms in a given problem. Reports results of a study of class inclusion in which dramatic differences in performance were found as the result of linguistic context.…

Reviews key assumptions of two contextualist theories (constructivism and interactionism), examines the theories' claims, and offers suggestions as to how a sociological analysis of human development can remedy some of the major theoretical failings while building on the basic strengths. Also discusses how a critical contextualism might help…

An overarching learning theory is presented, based on assumptions that all learning includes (1) external learner-environment interaction and internal acquisition and elaboration and (2) cognitive, emotional, and social dimensions. The framework depicts four types of learning: cumulative, assimilative, accommodative, and transformative. (Contains…

Provides information about hypnosis. Uses research data to define hypnosis, discuss the relationship between hypnosis and memory, and present some possible benefits. Includes a chart with some common misconceptions about hypnosis and the corresponding true statement. (DDR)

Outlines a model of mathematical understanding as a whole, dynamic, nonlinear, recursive growing process, entailing "folding back" for the reconstruction of inner level knowing. Presents examples from seventh graders' work. Discusses teacher awareness of student level of understanding, and implications for development of mathematics…

This study compared college students at various levels of academic persistence and achievement. Previous high school achievement and preference for complex explanations of behavior are the best correlates with persistence and achievement. Other correlates include effective time management and recognition of the influence of social contexts on…

Described is the discovery that oscillations of electric potential at 40 hertz hold the key to how the brain assembles sense impressions into a single object. Potential implications from this research are discussed. (CW)

Word associations were used to map high school students' concepts of "chemical equilibrium" and "equilibrium." It was found that the preconception of the two concepts was differentiated on noncritical dimensions. (Author/CW)

Primary school teachers' responses to interview questions about science concepts are described and compared in general terms with views of scientific concepts held by children. Some possible implications of the findings for the development of primary science are outlined. Sample interview questions are included. (Author/CW)

Argues that teaching writing conventions in a basic writing class is not a sufficient preparation either for the traditional freshman writing course or for the courses in the students' majors that will follow. Argues that students should be provided with appropriate reading and writing activities of real complexity at every level. (RS)

Glaring and basic textbook errors and misconceptions about photosynthesis are discussed. The Calvin Cycle, photosynthetic products, alternative cycles, and plants as producers are considered. Included are observations of both college and secondary textbooks. (CW)

Describes an application of methodology based on the Information Integration Theory to study intuitive mastery by 13-14 year-olds of Archimedes' Effect in physics. (Author/YP)