This 4-year longitudinal study of logical reasoning found complex interrelationships among different cognitive processes of children ages 6 to 15. Piaget's stage theory is discussed in the introduction, with a focus on the concrete operational stage in middle childhood. In the study, a representative array of logical concept tasks and short-term…

The basic hypotheses were (1) children with detailed exposure to objects would increase in knowledge of the complexity of objects but would also exhibit a corresponding increase in object-picture discrepancy, (2) children exposed only to pictures would show minimal object-picture discrepancy but would exhibit a lower response repertoire, and (3)…

The aim of this report was to provide teachers of preschool and early elementary school children with a brief summary of current psychological research and theory concerned with the development of cognitive skills in young children. Psychological research often provides a basis for procedures teachers use in the classroom. Each chapter of the…

An experiment in teaching logic to fifth graders using a children's story is reported. Part one of the report develops the experiment's rationale. A lack of reasoning ability among children is perceived and several causes are suggested -- among them a reliance on reading, math, and science as vehicles for reasoning, emphasis on problem solving…

In Piaget's developmental psychology the fourth and highest stage of human cognitive development is that of formal operations. The research on formal thought instruments is outlined. This study was designed to construct and validate paper-and-pencil instruments which could be used to select students capable of abstract conceptualization,…

This study examined the following issues: (a) If vocabulary effects are minimized, will there be SES differences in the use of conditional forms by Caucasian children who have reached the fifth grade? (b) Even if SES differences occur in the use of recognizable conditional forms, will children within the same SES be able to transmit conditional…

This educational research project is designed to assess an elementary student's quality of reasoning in relation to map skills and to determine spatial concept abilities. 21 activities are designed to test sense of proportion, scale, dimension, accurate relationship, and abstract thinking. The related topographical map, a Map-Study Scoring Key,…

THE RELATIVE EFFECTIVENESS OF INDUCTIVE AND DEDUCTIVE APPROACHES TO THE INSTRUCTION OF WORD ANALYSIS TASKS WAS STUDIED. A NUMBER OF PHONIC AND STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS GENERALIZATIONS, APPLIED TO THE PRONUNCIATION OF WORDS ABOVE THE PRIMARY LEVEL IN DIFFICULTY, WERE PRESENTED TO EIGHTH- AND NINTH-GRADERS OF AVERAGE MENTAL ABILITY BUT WHO WERE WEAK IN…

Reports on a study intended to establish a relationship between the M-space (mental energy) and the M-demand (the variable difficulties of Piagetian tasks presumed to entail the same logical structure) of different items of general chemistry. Recommends that chemistry teachers consider the role of cognitive factors in determining student success.…

Three case studies illustrate how a program called Project Learning Strategies at DePaul University (Illinois) assists learning-disabled college students with organizational problems. Clinic sessions help the students improve thinking and study skills, take class notes, improve ability to organize class materials, manage time, and develop…

Mathematical problem-solving processes used by 27 eighth graders who had studied programming were compared to those of 27 who had not. Programmers used more systematic approaches and reviewed solutions more often than nonprogrammers but did not make more use of equations or do more planning. (PK)

Recent state reforms that embrace the effective schools movement may actually be counterproductive. These mandates encourage the persistence of outmoded, teacher centered, pedagogical practices and current school organizational structures, inhibiting the development of students' independent reasoning and problem-solving skills, as well as the…

Determined if grouping preservice elementary teachers (N=91) in physical science laboratories by their formal reasoning ability affected: (1) their science content achievement; (2) the learning environment in the laboratory; (3) their formal reasoning ability; and (4) the relationship between individuals in a particular group. (Author/JN)

This article presents 10 practical teaching procedures to encourage students to develop formal reasoning skills. A twelfth-grade English course is used as an example. Procedures include pretesting, sequencing instruction, providing students with concrete experiences, discussing reasoning patterns and forms of argumentation, assigning argumentative…

To measure the development of formal thought, as defined by Piaget and Peel, separate tests on judgment, creativity, concept formation and concept attainment were administered to 1,710 subjects, ages eight to adult. (CP)