A study of 11- and 12-year-old girls indicates that either of two training procedures, method training or dimension training, can aid in the transition from concrete operational to formal operational thought by promoting a hypothesis-testing attitude. (BH)

The goal of this study in exploring the relationship between internal-external control and black political activism was to analyze how the belief systems of activists and non-activists differs, in order to develop some tentative ideas about how more activist-orientations can be developed among black people. Eighty-one black undergraduate students…

Argues that "within the framework of certain cognitive approaches to achievement motivation, it seems possible to integrate the multiple contributions to achievement orientations of interest, cultural values, and social influence without appealing to widely divergent theoretical concepts or to complex and nonquantitative dependent measures."…

The systematic study of reading dates from the beginnings of experimental psychology in the 1880's. A revival of experimental work began in the 1950's. The research community needs a more convincing justification for continued government support of reading research than one based on potential links to classroom practice. (Author/JM)

Concludes "that the one seemingly serious effort of Baltes and Schaie to contest the points of the Horn-Donaldson criticisms only brings us around to the same sad conclusion: that no matter how one looks at the Schaie data, it suggests that, on the average, there is age decline in many important abilities of intelligence." (Author/JM)

Describes an exhibition-based activity set that teaches important psychological processes such as attention (Interference), communication (Pattern Talk), and cooperation versus competition (Do Nice Guys Finish Last?). Activities follow the scientific method, and teachers can observe varying levels of skill and cognitive development in students of…

R. Herrnstein and C. Murray, in "The Bell Curve," stated six propositions concerning a "g" factor of intelligence. These propositions are found to be reasonably well supported in the scientific literature. These conclusions can be reached whether or not one accepts Herrnstein and Murray's claims about the social significance of…

Discusses the history and outcomes of psychoanalysis and child rearing practices in the 1950s Netherlands to present. Depicts the 20th century as a century of child rearing experts with parents blamed for all that was wrong with their child. States the dynamics of psychology has undermined society's self-supporting and self-healing capacity. (KDR)

Demonstrates that East Asian children (EAC) do engage in some forms of self-enhancing illusions. Responses from 4,000 elementary school students reveal EACs see themselves as possessing more positive attributes than others. Variations in self-enhancing illusions were found for age, gender, and region of residence. Results are discussed in terms of…

Studies primary school Chinese students living in Hong Kong to learn their causal attributions for examination results. Identifies age-related differences in perceived attainment, success expectancy, causal attributions, and achievement goals. Finds discrepancies with earlier Western studies and links these to Chinese socialization patterns where…

Reviews scientific and professional trends in the field of health psychology. Discusses recent research on health promotion, psychological factors in the development of illness, cognitive representations of health and illness, stress and coping, social support, interventions to promote coping, and trends that will affect progress in the field.…

Explores the possibility that the lesbian or gay experience in contemporary American society might furnish a standpoint for generating new knowledge in psychology. Considers the following elements that define lesbians' or gay men's ways of knowing and experiencing the world: (1) biculturalism; (2) marginality; and (3) normative creativity. (JS)

Refutes the idea that critical thinking is not a skill by analyzing it from the phenomenological perspective of Edmund Husserl, and from the hermeneutic perspective of Martin Heidegger. Develops the thesis that critical thinking is a restructuring of schemata. Addresses the problem of attention or student engagement. (LS)

Discusses theories of the transfer of teaching based on the theory of common elements and the cognitive theory of elements and mechanisms. Highlights include inferential reasoning; mental models; memory and comprehension; and future directions, including theory development, metrics of transfer distance, psychological and educational research, and…

Reviews what is known about AIDS in children. Addresses the following areas of concern: (1) the delivery of clinical services to infected and ill children and their families; (2) the development of effective AIDS education and prevention programs; and (3) research needs. Offers recommendations for action. (Author/BJV)