Provides two exercises in abstract problem solving. Intended to parallel a physicist's approach to the solution of a law of nature, the activities are open ended without definite answers. (CP)

Examines relationship between literacy and intellectual development and the belief that literacy leads to higher forms of thought. Describes research findings among the Vai of Liberia, a people who invented a syllabic writing system to represent their own language. Investigates effects of becoming literate separately from effects of attending…

Investigates the extent of understanding of the logic of hypothesis testing by high school students, and whether this understanding is related to scholastic achievement or ability as measured by standardized tests. (Author/GA)

Two experiments used the sentence-picture verification paradigm to study encoding and comparison processes with spatial information. Subjects decided whether a spatial description of a geometric figure matched a second figure. Three critical results demonstrated that task-specific variables could be the primary determinants of how subjects verify…

Children learned two linear function rules under varying conditions: presence vs. absence of pointing; visual cues (context vs. weight vs. both pictured); and a verbal-only baseline condition. A complex rule was learned as a transfer task. Visual cues aided both learning and transfer; pointing helped initial learning, but retarded transfer.…

A new method for separating affective and denotative meaning subsystems in semantic differential ratings of any homogeneous concept domain is developed and illustrated using personality ratings data. Possible applications of this method are discussed. (Author/JKS)

Tests the egocentric hypothesis, i.e., if it can be shown that, given spatial cues, an infant searches at a position bearing an invariant relation to these cues, but with a varying egocentric position, then there would be strong evidence that his organization of space is not necessarily egocentric. (Author/RK)

This paper will report on a primary grade social-cognitive curriculum. We will first consider the construction of this curriculum from the principles of structural developmental and social perspective taking theory. Then we will discuss the curriculum evaluation. We will conclude by suggesting some new directions for evaluation. (Author)

Shows that age or conceptual tempo are not related to the number of trials needed to reach the criteria for a learning task. Impulsive responders performed more poorly than groups of slow-inaccurate, fast-accurate, and reflective responders on the transfer of learning task. (RL)

Cites research findings to refute Piaget's contention of stages of cognitive development. Advocates continuous cognitive differentiation as a model. (CP)

One group of elementary education majors received an algebraic instructional treatment of a unit on linear absolute value equations while another received a geometric treatment. The hypothesis of an aptitude-by-treatment interaction was statistically confirmed. (MN)

A 16-item conditional reasoning test was given to 281 students in grades 8, 10, 12, and 14. Developmental patterns of performance were examined. (Author/JMB)

Describes a program being conducted within the chemistry department of Xavier University, New Orleans, Louisiana, to improve the abstract reasoning abilities of freshmen science majors. The project is based upon the philosophy developed by Jean Piaget. (SL)

Three experiments investigated whether abstract as well as concrete sentences can be processed in a holistic manner. Results suggest that the processing of both types of sentences involves construction of particularized, holistic mental representations that contain information and inferences based on context and knowledge of language and the…

Kohlberg's theory of moral development is restated in less technical terms, with emphasis on the concepts of: (1) moral judgment, rather than behavior, values, or feelings; (2) "stages," describing consistencies in moral reasoning procedures; and (3) "better" stages, measuring structurally more adequate levels. (MJB)