The purpose of educational philosophy, as represented in "Philosophy and Education: Eightieth Yearbook of the National Society for the Study of Education," is discussed and a proper role for the discipline is suggested. Several authors of essays in the yearbook are criticized for emphasizing adherence to schools of philosophy at the…

This experiment in reasoning attempted to discover why simple logic tasks cause problems. An initial group investigation preceded the experiment, which tested two hypotheses: that subjects presented with a "four-card" problem make irrational responses, and that successful completion of a programed text will reduce irrational responses.…

Since the brain operates best on multimodal, nonlogical, real-world problems, it may be counterproductive to teach students sequential, logical techniques for solving artificially defined problems. Giving students time to consider and propose solutions for real problems may be a more effective means of helping them learn to think. (PGD)

Piaget's theory of cognitive developmental levels is criticized on the grounds that it blends empirical and philosophical issues of knowledge and, therefore, confuses genetic psychology and epistemology. (JN)

To develop scientific thinking in students, the history of science should be integrated in school curricula. This would present conflicting theories, within and outside of science, that would help to develop the students' abilities to compare and criticize. (CJ)

It is shown that the Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal (WGCTA) significantly predicted standing in a specialized course at the college level, lending credence to its criterion-related validity. The paper is based on a study of accelerated students pursuing a combined baccalaureate and professional program of medicine. (CE)

Examines the effects of different amounts of irrelevant information on adult age differences in problem solving. Reaction times were slower as a function of increased age and increased levels of variable irrelevant information. Age-associated inability to ignore irrelevant information is partially responsible for the well-documented decline in…

Examines language effects in class-inclusion performance with 224 children ages 3 through 12 by comparing the standard Piagetian question with two alternate question forms. Overall, the findings were inconsistent with the Piagetian assertion that logical inability produces errors in comparing subclasses; inclusion performance was a function of…

The cognition theories of Piaget as they apply to adults are examined in the light of new theories about the characteristics of formal reasoning abilities and their acquisition over a long life span. (JD)

This paper investigates similarities and differences between the computer and the human brain in terms of thought processes and develops the theory that the computer can learn, is intelligent and does satisfy educational learning requirements. (Author/MK)

Compares critical thinking ability of pupils in scientific situations and in real-life situations by administering multiple choice tests to Israeli ninth graders (N=344). Results confirm that students do not react similarly when confronted with equivalent situations presented in different contexts. (CS)

High state-anxious subjects solved fewer problems than middle or low state-anxious subjects under no memory-aid conditions, and all anxiety groups performed comparably with memory aids. High state-anxious subjects tended to use less focusing strategy when memory aids were unavailable. (Author/CP)

Computer science education for the liberal arts student has both a practical value (creating an intelligent consumer) and an appreciative value (teaching algorithmic thinking). A computer literacy course can be structured to harmonize with the aims of liberal education. (SK)

Offers an essay on the "obscenities" of Shakespeare's "Macbeth," to be used as a class exercise in critical reading, diction, and tone. (RL)

Describes 18 books on thinking and learning for elementary school-aged children. Each book is critically discussed and evaluated in an appropriate category--problem solving, the scientific method, observation, or logic. (BK)