Noting that many of the attacks on individual scientists as well as some of the attacks on the field of behavior genetics are more than intemperate--they are non-rational--the author discusses his experience as a signatory to a document drawn up by Ellis B. Page during the winter of 1971-1972. The intent of this controversial document was to…

Does nutritional deficiency retard psychological development? The Tulane Nutrition Study reports the first segment of its research based on extensive analysis of psychological and nutritional data gathered predominately on children who attended five, 6-week Head Start programs. Scores on a battery of eight psychological tests and two hematological…

In this study, features of the child's development of language were described in terms of rhetorical communication--i.e., the child's development of language (inventio), his use of conceptual schemes to elaborate and unify utterance (dispositio), and his acquisition of an abstract communicative perspective permitting him to use language…

The absence of a meaningful conception of Negro culture has forced the interpretation of almost all psychology's data on the Negro into two seemingly dichotomous categories: either that of biological incapacity, i.e., genetic inferiority, or social deviance and pathology, i.e., environmental deprivation. The cultural difference theory asserts that…

This book includes nine essays. In the Introduction: "The Lingering Infatuation with IQ," the editors argue that since the IQ test has again risen as an instrument of conservative policy, the test and the arguments built around it must be reexamined. Noam Chomsky criticizes the well-known "Atlantic" article, "IQ" (September, 1971), in "The Fallacy…

This book is a compendium of papers presented March 18-20, 1996, at the eighteenth annual Spectrum of Developmental Disabilities course. Research findings are presented that address identification, diagnosis, management, and prognosis of specific reading disability. Individual chapters include: (1) "Dyslexia: The Evolution of a Concept" (John…

Two criticisms of the System of Multicultural Pluralistic Assessment (SOMPA) are discussed: the alleged abilities of SOMPA to provide an approximate measure of a child's biological capacity to learn and to obtain an approximate measure of a child's basic potential. (See also TM 504 174.) (MH)

Compared adjudicated male adolescents (N=37) to middle school students on measures of glucose nadir and urinary 5-HIAA (5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid), a serotonin metabolite. Results show that adjudicated youth had significantly lower levels of both substances, supporting previous studies linking low glucose and 5-HIAA levels to impulsivity,…

Examined longitudinally the relationship between biological and social risk factors and aggressive behavior patterns among high-risk Australian adolescents in three groups: early-onset persistent aggression, adolescent-onset aggression, and nonaggressive behavior groups. Findings revealed that the interaction of biological and social risk factors…

This article focuses on methods useful for identifying differences in the development of language reading abilities in children that rely on measures of brain responses and behavioral assessments. Findings from these methods are described and indicate that even behaviors strongly influenced by biological mechanisms can be influenced through…

Describes the "special destiny-special faculty" paradigm that has dominated western thinking about the nature and origins of language and argues instead that language systems are like technologies and that language acquisition and use involves a range of capacities and skills, a view that could be called the "mosaic development…

Investigated the development of inattentiveness and hyperactivity in middle childhood through a prospective study that followed 191 children from birth through age 11. In early childhood, quality of caregiving better predicted distractibility, an early precursor of hyperactivity, than did early biological or temperament factors. Caregiving and…

The influx of children prenatally exposed to drugs represents a heightened challenge to early childhood education programs. Efforts are needed for establishing developmentally appropriate practices, administrative supports, access to special education services, and personnel preparation programs. Guidelines and suggestions relating to these…

An overview is provided of the literature on genetic, biochemical, neurobehavioral, and neuroanatomical correlates of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Accumulating evidence suggests a neurological etiology and a possible genetic basis in most children. The role of the school psychologist in helping children with ADHD is discussed.…

Common values are identified in three theoretical models of early intervention practice (developmental, functional, and biological models), suggesting that professional practice can be guided by such convergent principles as the value of independent mastery of tasks, emphasis on adaptation, and the contingently responsive environment. Two…