This investigation experimentally examines a networking learning strategy involving an information processing strategy that relates to the internal cognitive organization of to-be-learned information and its effects upon the learning of field-dependents. The learning behavior of field-independents is also compared to that of field-dependents with…

A study designed to test the Piagetian theory that distinct stages in the organization of memory relating to horizontality correspond to successive stages in operative level was conducted with 154 twelve- to fourteen-year-old subjects. Loglinear and path analysis models were used to describe the association between operative level and spatial…

The purpose of this study was to compare factors of cognitive style in two groups of seventh-grade children: (1) children of average or above average intelligence who show learning disability in mathematics but who perform well in reading; and (2) children of average or above average intelligence who perform well in both mathematics and reading.…

Research on the interaction of keyword treatment with materials or student characteristics in learning foreign languages was reviewed. Most of the studies implied that foreign language vocabulary learning was related to verbal, not visual-spatial ability or elaboration, conditions, and that student-generated keywords were more effective than…

A project investigated the feasibility of training spatial visualization to facilitate transfer among tasks requiring these abilities and thus reduce training time and increase personnel flexibility. Eighty undergraduate college students participated in a study of from one to five days duration. Experimental subjects received extensive practice…

This experiment investigated the effect of children's successive encounters with a large scale environment on their subsequent reconstructions of that environment. Twenty children (10 boys, 10 girls) at each of three grade levels (kindergarten, two, and five) reconstructed from memory the spatial layout of buildings in a large model town. All…

This study examined the relationships between spatial ability, mathematics achievement, and sex for students in grades 2-7. Four spatial tests (embedded figures, serial integration, coordination of viewpoints, and rotation and development of surfaces) were used to measure spatial ability; sex and mathematics achievement, as measured by the Iowa…

Investigated whether children in kindergarten and grades 2 and 4 applied one- or two-dimensional rules in rating areas of rectangles, triangles, and ellipses. A majority of subjects produced judgments consistent with one of the rules. The findings contradict Piaget's claim that young children are limited to one-dimensional judgments. (SKC)

Two experiments showed that: 5- and 6-year-old listeners have difficulties with spatial reference if it includes "left" and "right"; and 7-year-olds understand this limitation on the comprehension skill of younger children and make appropriate allowances by using more landmarks instead. (CB)

A humanistically oriented course of the geography of perception and behavior provides an understanding of people's perception and use of space as they interact with physical and cultural environments. A course rationale and outline are provided. A resource bibliography lists readings for each of the 14 topics in the course outline. (RM)

Newcomb, Bandura, and Taylor's Spatial Activity Questionnaire measures participation in space-related activities which are classified as masculine, feminine, or neutral in gender stereotyping. Short version was developed with reliabilities (by coefficient alpha) of .79 for masculine, .77 for feminine, and .795 for neutral activities. Suggestions…

English-speaking and Dutch-speaking children were asked to pick the big, tall, or long members of pairs of bricks. Comprehension improved with age but older children in both groups were prone to choose the taller (but smaller) of two objects when asked to point to the bigger one. (SED)

The study of trigonometric functions in terms of the unit circle offer an example of how students can learn algebraic relations and operations while using visually oriented thinking. Illustrations are included. (MNS)

Performance on five logical, spatial, and formal tasks was used to make inferences about the reasoning structures of 101 middle and high school students. Findings (obtained during interviews) include grade level differences in performance and sex differences in performance on one of the tasks. Implications for instruction are proposed. (Author/JN)

Field dependence and spatial ability are examined as different labels for a common underlying dimension. Sixty college students completed two tests of field dependence and two tests of spatial ability. Results of an analysis of covariance found no evidence to view the two traits as distinct from each other. (Author/LMO)