Four theoretical streams--contexualism/ecology, systems theory, realism/constructivism, and chaos theory--contributed to a theory of individuals as complex, unique, nonlinear, adaptive chaotic and open systems. Individuals use purposive action to construct careers but can make maladaptive and inappropriate choices. (Contains 42 references.) (SK)

The example of the formation of a learning community in a Yukon Island retreat center demonstrates the influence of context and the importance of community building. Organic learning occurs through the synthesis of the natural environment, the community, and the learning process. (SK)

Two managers described as high performing constructed complexity maps of their organization/world. The maps suggested that high performance is socially constructed and negotiated in specific contexts and management competencies associated with it are context specific. Development of high performers thus requires personalized coaching more than…

Discusses the use of lightly controlled games, primarily in classes in game theory. Considers the value of such games from the viewpoint of both teaching and experimentation and discusses context; control; pros and cons of games in teaching; experimental games; and games in class, including cooperative game theory. (Author/LRW)

Mathematical analysis and computer simulation methods are used to show that interactive models of context effects can exhibit classical context effects if there is variability in the input to the network or the network itself. Interactive models represent hypotheses about information-processing dynamics leading to the global asymptotic behaviors…

Examines the role that affect may play in the understanding of human development. An ecological approach to perception is used to provide a basis for discussion of the adaptive function of affect. (PCB)

Provides a framework for discussion of a nonindividual approach to the understanding of development. Emphasizes the need to capture the dynamic nature of interactive events which characterize participation in human life. Suggests that some concepts associated with developmental studies may need to be discarded. (PCB)

Analyzes a segment of conversation in which one participant repairs the broken-off utterance of another. Finds that utterance design and sequential placement play key roles in this accomplishment. Argues that context is an ongoing achievement of such practices of utterance design and sequential placement. (MS)

Describes and presents examples of external and internal characteristics of learning environments that may help students' achievement and interest in mathematics. External characteristics include time, space, and support while internal characteristics include teachers' habits of mind. (MKR)

Explored performance and strategies of children on three sets of LOGO tasks in which they copied a given LOGO figure and directed the turtle to a destination. Found that when the copy task preceded the track task, there were no significant performance differences in accuracy or efficiency of moves to reach the path's end, in contrast to reverse…

Revealed that 6-month-old infants are unable to access either an original memory or a reactivated memory after lengthy intervals. Despite the fact that their memory processing is more rapid during encoding and retrieval than that of infants half their age, their facility for accessing an original or reactivated memory is weaker than that of such…

Three studies of preadolescents and college students found that many children and adults failed to give logically correct answers when presented with misleading weight conservation questions. The results show the importance of suggestibility and context. (MDM)

Introduces this special issue. Discusses the analysis-by-synthesis principle of text-to-speech conversion; some classroom and research issues in designing "usable" computer texts; and the criteria of hypertext. Emphasizes the importance of the contextual aspects of text and hypertext and situated learning. (RS)

Examined whether active participation in the setup of a trick significantly affected the performance of young (mean 40 months) and old (mean 45 months) 3-year olds on questions concerning individuals' ignorance of and false beliefs about a situation. Results suggest that even young 3-year olds have the ability to understand false mental states.…

Examines the disciplinary patterns and practices of African-American parents (N=121). Results indicate that the context of the disciplinary episode influenced how African-American parents disciplined their children. Implications for counselor education and practice are discussed. (Author)