In the first experiment, 16 kindergarten children were tested on vertical/horizontal and oblique discriminations in symmetrical and asymmetrical alignments. When stimuli were asymmetrically aligned, the former discrimination was learned as rapidly as the latter. The second experiment demonstrated that the influence of configurational cues in…

A study examined the effects of recency of teacher training (in the implementation of set induction techniques) and class size on high school student achievement and on short-term and long-term retention. Results are reported and presented in tabular form. (CJ)

Investigated a set of photographs taken of each subject and self-rated for extent to which each resembled their imagined prototype of "real-self." The findings support the hypothesis of the availability of a memory image schema--the self functions as a cognitive prototype with imaginal and verbal characteristics. (Author/RC)

Out of 70 answers to questions concerning the chemistry involved in an "orange tornado" demonstration, only 10 were partially correct, others totally wrong or showing major errors in understanding, comprehension, and/or reasoning. Demonstration and reactions involved, selected incorrect answers, and a substantially correct answer are discussed.…

Researchers investigated the effects of sex differences on the relationship between conservation ability and the reading and linguistic awareness of five-year-old children. Findings of this study and others consistently support the hypothesis that conservation ability correlates more highly with reading in girls than in boys. (Author/PP)

The performance of 114 New Zealand children of European and Polynesian descent on spatial relations tasks was examined, following their interaction with another child of either the same or different cognitive level. Nonconservers were found to benefit from interaction relative to no interaction more than were partial conservers. (AOS)

Examined the relationship between early loss of a parent due to death or divorce, and later depression and suicide. Comparison of students (N=10) who lost a parent before age eight with controls (N=10), showed early loss subjects were easily reminded of death and tended to structure death cognitively. (JAC)

Concludes that J. Piaget's cognitive developmental theory may be used as a framework to understand reading in all children, while visual perception showed no relationship to any measure of reading. (FL)

Defends the role of humanities instruction in the education of engineering undergraduates in the areas of problem solving, risk taking, and the synthesis of metaphors and symbols. (AEA)

The author identifies trends in the direction of (1) tighter interpretation of the learning disabilities definition, (2) reduction of nonproductive paperwork and meetings, (3) closer relationship with State Departments of Education as they interpret new guidelines, (4) reduction in unproven remedial approaches, and (5) coordinated effort to insure…

Both first-order creative, intuitive thinking and second-order critical thinking can and should be encouraged in writing instruction. The first helps generate ideas, and the second is useful in refining expression. The two kinds of thinking enhance different writing skills and can be mutually reinforcing. (MSE)