Opening with a discussion of the role of computer simulation in cognitive psychology, this paper proceeds to examine the major perspectives on computer simulation as a tool for theoretical research on cognitive processes. The claim that computer simulation enforces rigor in theory specification is analyzed; the use of simulation as a method for…

The application of artificial intelligence (AI) techniques to the design of personal learning environments is an enterprise of both theoretical and practical interest. In the short term, the process of developing and testing intelligent tutoring programs serves as a new experimental vehicle for exploring alternative cognitive and pedagogical…

This study, part of a larger project called "Project Competence," explored the relationship between two aspects of social-cognitive ability (interpersonal awareness and social problem-solving) and three aspects of manifest competence in children (social, behavioral, and academic). In a series of hierarchical multiple regressions, social-…

Adolescent Portuguese-English bilingual students participated in a study that examined the relationship between reading rate and reading comprehension. The 31 subjects were placed in one of three groups: (1) normal readers, reading at grade level as indicated by IQ test scores; (2) slow readers, reading at least two years below expected grade…

Through a literature review and an analysis of student files of the London (Ontario) Board of Education, researchers made several findings on the effects of school absence on students' academic achievement. The literature review first revealed four problems in interpreting research results, involving identification of the reasons for absence,…

Acquiescence, the tendency to respond affirmatively regardless of the content of a question, was examined in 57 mentally retarded children (11 to 17 years old) and 91 nonretarded children (3 to 8 years old). Embedded within the standard interview schedule for both samples were two pairs of oppositely worded questions on the same topic.…

The presentation reviews the empirical data concerning the existence and types of language problems experienced by learning disabled (LD) and reading disabled (RD) children. An introductory section provides criteria for classification as LD in research samples and a discussion of research data sources in the field of language assessment. Section…

A detailed explicit definition of learning disability (LD) is presented in terms of the diagnostic procedures and decision points used in identifying that category among a group of juvenile delinquent and control group adolescent males. The described procedures include a review of existing records, interviews, and diagnostic assessments.…

This report describes the development of a computer based system designed to train electronic troubleshooting procedures. The ACTS uses artificial intelligence techniques to develop models of student and expert troubleshooting behavior as they solve a series of troubleshooting problems on the system. Comparisons of the student and expert models…

The practice and interpretation of intelligence testing of educable retarded and learning disabled children is examined in this report. The current and future state of intelligence testing is discussed in terms of its predictive, diagnostic, and remedial functions. The first section places a consideration of individual testing formats within a…

The 27 papers in this collection (26 of which were presented at the conference) are organized according to the eight topical sessions: (1) Improving Ability Measurement Using Different Item Formats, (2) Alternative Models for Adaptive Testing, (3) Psychological and Subgroup Effects, (4) Performance Testing by Interactive Simulation, (5)…

Measurements of various parameters derived from different reaction time (RT) paradigms are found to be correlated with psychometric measurements of general mental ability. Such RT-derived measurements, when combined in a multiple regression equation, predict some 50 percent or more of the variance in intelligence. This relationship of intelligence…

The psychological testing of blacks and other minorities inflicts dehumanization upon them by subjecting them to culturally-biased examinations. These tests are defended on "scientific" grounds, although it is evident that they are simply a form of institutionalized racism. Standardized tests of intelligence reflect a middle-class white bias that…

Large numbers of black children are being inappropriately labeled as handicapped. One study in California has shown that as many as 75% of the minority students in public school programs for the educable mentally retarded were not, in fact, retarded. In many instances a student's behavior, rather than pure academic performance, was the primary…