Three experiments were performed using unrelated digit materials and prose passages to evaluate whether an auditory or visual presentation of material would be best for an aged population. Data suggests that the choice of modality depends on the particular presentation condition rather than on the type of stimulus materials. (Author)

Two studies investigated the effects of learning modules and classroom lecture on the acquisition of three counseling strategies. In the first study, results indicate that the self-paced module group performed significantly better than the classroom lecture group. In the second study, no significant differences were found. (Author)

The effect of media presentations (oral, print, pictures, and combinations) on prose learning between high socioeconomic status white and low socioeconomic black children is compared and analyzed. (DEP)

When studying the question, Do primary students learn better through listening or reading?, the readability of the material used should be considered. (JH)

Much research has focused on cognitive skills in isolation from daily life and from action. However, memory and thinking in daily life are not separate from, but are part of, doing. This study is based on a theoretical framework that encompasses an integrated account of mind in action. This "activity theory" holds that neither mind as such nor…

To further the understanding of how the brain operates at the most basic level of interest to human communication theorists, intrapersonal communication, this paper reviews the arguments against the hemispheric dominance theory and for a neurological processing style model of brain functions and then focuses on the impact of the corpus callosum (a…

Describes a study to develop and cross validate a verbal measure of information rate. This measure should be helpful in assessing the information rate of situations, whether the situations are described verbally, presented pictorally or with audiovisual recordings, or experienced directly by subjects. (Author/MLB)

Comprehension of film was studied in an ATI (aptitude x treatment interaction) framework which investigated comprehension as a function of the interaction of the stimulation-seeking motive (arousal) and degree of structure in information presented in film. Three levels of organizational coherence of a short film and two levels of the stimulation…

The relationship between conceptual complexity and stimulus saliency was explored in a 3 x 4 factorial design using 144 undergraduates. Levels of complexity were represented by varying the ratio of relevant-to-irrelevant dimensions (1:3, 2:2, and 3:1). The saliency factor varied according to the discriminability between each attribute within…

Intra- and crossmodal performance of normal and retarded third-grade readers were compared in a reaction-time task. Results suggest that the demands of stimulus complexity within the visual modality rather than the demands of crossmodal shifting were related to reading ability. (Author/ED)

Educable mental retardates and normal grade school students were presented seven classes of materials in both visual and auditory modalities for the determination of immediate memory span thresholds. Major conclusions included auditory presentation produces higher thresholds than visual, and retarded children may employ different processing…

An alternative method of language learning is proposed based on the theory of "Personal Construct Psychology." It is suggested as a resolution of the impasse that seems to exist between linguistic and psychological theories of learning. Certain techniques are offered to enable learners to exteriorize their cognitive categories and their…

This study investigated the effect of culture on the cognitive styles of Polynesian Asian, and Caucasian Americans in a multicultural school setting. The study attempted to test the Hill scales of cognitive development to determine if they would be a valid predictor of individual cognitive styles. In addition, the investigation tested the popular…

A study was conducted to test the thesis that teaching word recognition skills in a manner compatible with the learner's auditory or visual modality preference would facilitate beginning reading instruction. A group of 62 students in two first grade classrooms was studied; one class stressed the presentation of words as whole units, the other…