A model of how the human cognitive system operates in its natural social context is presented. The model focuses on both input and output variables that have been ignored in the development of most other cognitive theories. Unique predictions of the model and empirical evidence bearing on them are discussed. (Author/LMO)

Develops a conception of the arts as cognitive activities. Draws implications of this conception for the schools including the following: concepts of talent and lack of talent have been used too long to cover up for weak or non-existent arts programs, and full cognitive development cannot exist without substantial arts instruction. (JDH)

Compares the separation distress of 26 19-month-old Downs Syndrome infants in the Strange Situation with that of 43 normal infants who were observed at 12 1/2 and 19 1/2 months to assess whether Downs Syndrome infants responded more similarly to cognitively comparable normals than to age-comparable normals. (HOD)

Examined the relationship between 7-, 9-, and 11-year old children's performance on a battery of selected Piagetian measures and on a proportional reasoning task. Found a strong relationship between stage level and (1) the complexity of hypotheses used, (2) the use of the proportional hypothesis, and (3) the overall use of logical hypotheses. (HOD)

A biochemistry examination administered to 114 dental students consisted of 20 items that measured knowledge and 18 items that measured either comprehension or application. Each item was written with five choices, half the class being presented the original version, half a content-similar derivative that included three choices. (Author/LMO)

Four experiments are presented to support the theory that the rule system governing the law of large numbers is not tied to a content domain, and that it can be improved by formal teaching techniques. The experiments showed that statistical training enhanced everyday reasoning. Test problems and objective example problems are appended. (LMO)

Comments on the lack of general agreement as to the aims and objectives of English instruction and draws attention to need for dissemination and continuation of research work that will help schools construct coherent schemes of work based on an understanding of stages of development in students' mastery of meaning construction in modes of writing,…

Presents three ideas for teaching content area writing, noting that such writing is most productive when assignments are based on real subject area topics and authentic styles. (HOD)

Explores how children become oriented to literacy and how their perceptions of the purpose of print develop as they move toward becoming more fluent users of print. (DF)

Discusses the logical and psychological significance of video games, microcomputer prose adventures, and computer programing. Explores the implications of these for teachers as humanists. (HTH)

Examines why analytical thinking should be a major focus of teaching in the reading and writing classroom. (HOD)

Presents a classification scheme applicable to systematic instructional design, which partitions the cognitive domain into the four levels of knowledge, understanding, mental processes, and strategies, each of which encompasses specific instructional objectives. Guidelines are offered to assist in the design and construction of these instructional…

According to researchers, the principal's leadership and the perceptions of the school staff are important in effective schools. A method for uncovering personal perceptions called ethnographic semantics is described. Findings from a study in which this methodology was used are presented. Includes three tables and two figures. (MD)

Discussed are the roles played by anticipation, belief, and motivation in two young children's problem-solving activity. It is argued that a solver's beliefs and motivations are intimately related, and that the discussion of the two children's behaviors may have some generality. (Author/MNS)

Investigates the effects of question type (general or specific) and question position (prior to or following writing) upon measures of conceptual elaboration in writing. Results indicate that writers can benefit from questions following initial writing that enhance conceptual elaboration of base-level ideas during writing revision. (HOD)