A dictated word list assessment and a dictated paragraph assessment were administered to 20 learning disabled (LD) elementary students. Error-pattern consistency indicated that the LD subjects utilized systematic approaches to spelling dictated words. Findings supported the use of diagnostic error-analysis techniques and a structured approach to…

Achievement behavior is defined as behavior directed at demonstrating high ability. Ability is conceived as relative to one's own past performance, or relative to that of others. Conditions under which these conceptions of ability function as individual's goals and the nature of subjective experience in each case are specified. (Author/BW)

Two studies were conducted to identify individual differences in the effect of instruction on strategies used to solve figural/numerical analogies. The first study assessed students' use of an appropriate rule for solving analogies and the stimulus attributes they incorporated. In Study 2, verbal protocols of selected subjects were analyzed.…

Tips to help musicians relax and be more confident as they perform are presented. For example, when complete attention is focused on the music, the mind does not worry about the audience. (RM)

Highlights of this look at a Cleveland principal include his technique for involving staff directly with students, his role in impressive test score increases, and his passion for art collecting. (KS)

The elements of jazz improvisation are discussed and criteria for their evaluation are suggested. The criteria can be used as guidelines for the objective and thorough analysis of individual student performance. (RM)

Two studies were conducted to (1) develop measure of infants' executive capacity, defined as difference between infants' most sophisticated level of functioning displayed first in free and then in elicited play and (2) to test several hypotheses regarding relationship between these performance and competence measures of child functioning and home…

This study of the differences between oversized and standard-sized tennis racquets found both beginning and intermediate level players scored significantly higher using the oversized racquet. Beginning players preferred the oversized racquet while intermediate players rated the two racquets about equal. Implications for teaching are discussed.…

Explores effects on one child of observing another same-sex child receive direct reinforcement. Subjects were 216 children from different age levels (6.11, 9.1, and 11.2 years). Results were considered in terms of vicarious reinforcement and the "implicit punishment" hypothesis. (Author/CI)

Oxygen uptake, heart rate, and rating of perceived exertion were used to measure the effect of caffeine ingestion on active college students. The results do not support the general use of caffeine as an ergogenic aid for either males or females, although caffeine may have that effect on specific individuals. (Author/MT)

Assessed the effects of Transcendental Meditation on the perceptual efficiency of the cerebral hemispheres in 20 right-handed men who underwent reaction time trials to an auditory stimulus. Results suggested Transcedental Meditation is an attentional strategy that disrupts the usual biases of the brain. (JAC)

Examined the effects of prior practice on the Set Test (ST), a test of verbal fluency, in 30 geriatric patients assigned to specific or nonspecific practice groups or a control. Results showed a significant improvement for the practice groups from days 1 to 2. (JAC)

Performed orthogonal and oblique factor analysis using the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised (WAIS-R) standardization sample (N=1,880). Analysis of the variance components for each subtest at every age level revealed a substantial proportion of subtests at a wide range of age levels evidenced high or intermediate levels of specific…

Observed college students (N=195) divided according to sex and measures of wittiness to determine the effects of humor on problem solving in groups. Results showed that group composition was not a crucial issue in problem-solving performance, but that humerous group interaction was, and did not interfere with ongoing task performance. (LLL)

This standards publication provides acoustical performance criteria, design requirements, and design guidelines for new school classrooms and other learning spaces. The standards may be applied when practicable to the major renovation of existing classrooms. These criteria, requirements, and guidelines are keyed to the acoustical qualities needed…