To obtain a more complete understanding of personal epistemology this study examines two epistemic paradigms - ways of knowing (specifically connected knowing and separate knowing) and epistemological beliefs (specifically beliefs about knowledge structure, knowledge stability, learning speed, and learning ability). Participants were 107 college…

When students ask for a study advice, many professors would say something like this: "Read carefully. Write down unfamiliar terms and look up their meanings. Make an outline. Reread each chapter." That's not terrible advice. Some scientists would say that professors left out the most important step: "Put the book aside and hide the notes. Then…

This paper presents an alternate perspective for utilizing the action/process/object framework when discussing student conceptions of function. This perspective extends previously used frameworks by incorporating student conceptions that deal with functional properties and situational contexts, but differs in the analysis of the nature of the…

This paper debates the usefulness and plausibility of the notion of cognitive structures. The cornerstone of the theory of cognitive philosophy is the claim that the epistemic process is mediated by mental representations that constitute both the knowledge base and interpretations of sensory experience of individuals. Cognitive theorists typically…

Although exploring students' thought processes can be rewarding, most teachers rely heavily on reponses to tests and assignments that fail to disclose learners' thinking patterns. Concept maps grouping interrelated ideas can encourage students to demonstrate effective and meaningful assimilation of organized study areas. Includes five footnotes.…

Maternal involvement effects on symbolic play development in toddlers were investigated. Sixteen mother-child dyads were observed at bimonthly intervals in a free-play setting during the period from 20 to 28 months of age. The complexity and length of play episodes increased when the mother was available to play with the child. (Author/BN)

Argues that the unconscious mind plays a central role in argumentation. Discusses the nature of the unconscious and analyzes invention, focusing on rules theory. Claims that argument reception is controlled by the unconscious. Identifies a series of basic issues needing investigation. (JD)

Employs latent partition analysis (a multivariate technique) to reveal pre/postcognitive structure of freshman engineering students (N=70) taking general chemistry. Similarities and dissimilarities among high and low scorers are discussed. Arguments for use of this statistical techniques are presented. (DH)

Suggests that researchers of counseling effects adopt methods of assessing and representing clients' cognitive structures. A variety of methods are presented, some of which are illustrated in a brief case report. The advantages and limitations of the methods presented are discussed. (Author/JAC)

Argues that a weak form of schema theory (a schema being an abstract set of expectations) gives the best account of the knowledge most people have about ordinary matters. Emphasizes that a person's culture is a principal determiner of what is already known and what can come to be known. (KH)

This paper addresses contemporary (i.e., postmodern) concerns with the disintegration of meaning and fragmentation of knowledge. As society continues to move towards increased specialization and separation of disciplines, people are becoming increasingly disconnected from the broad connecting conceptions within the disciplines, i.e., the patterns…

Describes the case of a woman who experienced disparity in mathematics classrooms between learning (which for her was necessarily relational) and its validation by a system that did not ratify meaningful learning but instead rewarded the behavioral products of rote or instrumental learning. (MKR)

Summarizes presentations given at a recent White House Conference which showed that early experiences, particularly in the first three years of life, have a dramatic impact on brain development. Includes presentations on such topics as parent education, brain functioning, quality caregiving and child care services, and early intervention programs.…

Reports a study that investigated the influence of teachers' value orientations on their knowledge organization for teaching. Elementary and secondary physical educators completed the Value Orientation Inventory and the Pathfinder software program (which measured knowledge organization). Teachers' knowledge structures were similar within value…

Examines factors predicted to influence individuals' responses to romantic jealousy. Details a study in which undergraduate students completed scales measuring relationship-specific linking, relationship-specific rumination, possessiveness, trust, and communicative responses to jealousy. Suggests that jealous rumination is an important cognitive…