A series of pilot experiments were carried out to investigate the influence of stress induced by load and interference on the acquisition and retention of a path finding skill, and to investigate the relationship between two path finding strategies--retention of strings of instructions and understanding of global relationships--as components of…

Twenty primary abilities were measured using the Comprehensive Ability Battery. Factor analysis produced six oblique second-stratum factors. Four were identified as capacities in Cattell's triadic theory of ability structure. Correlations among factors yielded three oblique third-stratum factors. Implications for a hierarchical conceptualization…

Explores (1) problems of the validity of tests of spatial ability, and (2) problems of the recessive gene influence theory of the origin of sex differences in spatial ability. Studies of cognitive strategies in spatial problem solving are suggested as a way to further investigate recessive gene influence. (Author/RH)

Representational and transformational visual imagery instructions were manipulated within two passage types (name and occupation), along with no-strategy control instructions for each passage type. Transformational imagery instructions were effective on the more difficult to remember name passages. Representational imagery instructions were not…

Describes a procedure for teaching the "generator orbital" (GO) approach of molecular orbital bonding in polyatomic molecules. Explains how the GO can be utilized with students in generating the vibrational, rotational, and translational modes of molecules in a completely pictorial manner. (ML)

Identifying the strengths of visual processing in high school mathematics is considered. The development of an instrument to assess mathematical processing is described. Then the kinds of visual imagery found in children in England and Natal are presented, along with difficulties and benefits experienced by visualizers. (MNS)

Sex differences in speed of solving mental rotation problems were replicated but college men and women were alike in frequency of use of algorithms to solve problems. The most frequent algorithm involved encoding stimuli in working memory, mental rotation of one to orientation of the other, comparison, and response. (Author/RD)

One hundred and seven 5th-8th graders were tested on spatial rotation multiple-choice items to determine age and gender differences in spatial ability. Thirty-one of them were subsequently interviewed. They were asked to explain their reasoning when solving 4 of the tested items and a problem-solving task. Features of visual and non-visual…

Multilevel visual models can make teaching and learning theories more easily understood. The idea of graphic visualizationas developed in this model utilizes three stages of abstract concept formation dealing with concrete visualization, abstract visualization, and abstract generalization, which would provide the learner with an intuitive grasp of…

This study investigates the visual information storage capacity in 5-, 8-, 11-, and 21-year olds. A partial report technique is used to assess the amount of information that children can take in and what the course of information loss was over time. (DP)

Studies support the hypothesis that images aroused by discreet verbal stimuli can be integrated into complex images with the result that: (a) storage capacity requirements are reduced, and (b) recall of one component of the image leads to effective redintegration of the rest. (JB)

Selects technical and popular writings from three scientists in each of four fields, and finds differences in the visual-verbal imagery which each field uses. (MB)