Preschool, kindergarten, and first-grade Brazilian children who performed well on an easy rhyme-categorization task were given a second such task that seemed to require some analytical ability to perform successfully. Results suggest that children's rhyme detection does not involve attention to word segments but a sensitivity to some sort of…

Contrary to the basic-level restraint hypothesis, which suggests that young children learn basic-level words more easily than specific-level words, these five studies show that although other constraints on word meaning may be in place, children are flexible in interpreting new words at different hierarchical levels. (MDM)

Involves 321 preservice elementary teacher education students in a study designed to investigate their intuitive scientific ideas and understandings. Results reveal that the majority of subjects, with the exception of a high proportion of those who has a successful high school background in physics and chemistry, have misunderstandings regarding…

Two experiments investigated whether preschoolers attend to appearance instead of taxonomic relations in sorting sets of objects with conflicting appearances and taxonomic relations. Found that training and instructions have a significant effect on children's preference for sorting according to taxonomic relations or appearance, and that both…

The identifying features of nonverbal learning disabilities (NLD) were evaluated with 29 NLD children, 27 children with reading and spelling disabilities, and 27 nonclinical children. Four tests were found which accurately discriminated the NLD group from the others. Deficits in visual-perceptual-organizational psychomotor coordination and complex…

The revised college and university classification system of the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching reflects health and expansion in higher education, with net growth in number of institutions listed. The greatest numerical increase was in two-year colleges, the greatest percentage increase in one research university category. Over…

The role of context in categorization was examined in four experiments with three month olds. Findings demonstrated that categorization of a novel object is influenced by the context present when the object is initially encountered and by previous encounters with that object in the category context, indicating that infants are capable of…

A survey of library school cataloging educators and practitioners indicated that entry-level catalogers may not be sufficiently prepared for their first professional positions, and supported expanded graduate programs and advanced courses and practicums that utilize practitioners for instruction. Tables display survey responses in rank order. (JKP)

Provides a survey of the second language literature on the role of formulaic language, focusing on communicative, production, and learning strategy functions of such language. The need to address the theoretical and methodological difficulties surrounding the definition and identification of formulaic language is discussed. (105 references) (MDM)

An optimal unbiased classification rule is proposed based on a longitudinal model for the measurement of change in ability. In general, the rule predicts future level of knowledge by using information about level of knowledge at entrance, its rate of growth, and the amount of within-individual variation. (SLD)

Advances several explanations of why loyalty may not bring expected benefits; tests these explanations by examining responses to dissatisfaction in the everyday lives of partners in ongoing dating relationships. A diary study of dating partners revealed that partners disagreed on the occurrence of loyalty. Other findings are discussed. (RJM)

A method is presented for extending full versus restricted model testing to predictive discriminant analysis when the criterion of model accuracy is classification hit rate. An example is presented involving the dropout or school persistence of 76 5th graders, and a computer program for the analysis is introduced. (SLD)

Two studies involving approximately 3,500 college students were conducted to establish and validate a self-report method of identifying nonclinical young adults with significant borderline personality disorder features and to evaluate clinical correlates of this classification across relevant areas of functioning. Results support the validity of…

A study of the ability of different models--including the classification techniques of discriminant analysis, logistic regression, and neural networks--to predict the academic success of master's degree students in business administration suggests that prediction is difficult, but that classification and nonparametric techniques may be…

Provides a typology of power strategies used by young children, based on observations of early childhood classrooms. Distinguishes between violent and nonviolent strategies; within nonviolent strategies, between physical and discursive strategies; within discursive strategies, between the use of rules and other strategies; and within the use of…