Two theories of learning (Vermunt's learning conceptions and Baxter Magolda's ways of knowing and patterns of reasoning) are compared using a general perspective and a gender perspective, with the aim of combining and extending them. Comparison suggests a number of relationships between theories on a conceptual level, but these could not be…

This paper highlights issues concerning the relationship between spatial reasoning and gender differences. It is noted that spatial reasoning can take on many different forms of expression, from geometric formations to abstract expressive creations. The definition of spatial reasoning for research purposes has been limited to a logical concept of…

Discussion of the salaries of academic librarians focuses on the female majority in librarianship and women's lower sense of entitlement. Topics discussed include cognitive reevaluation; circumscribing the field of librarianship for salary comparison; and issues of entitlement and equity as they relate to self-esteem. (16 references) (LRW)

The application of learned helplessness theory to achievement is discussed within the context of implications for research in learning disabilities. Finally, the similarities between helpless children and learning disabled students in terms of problems solving and attention are discussed. (Author)

Explores the neural and hormonal basis of human intellectual function that gives rise to sex differences in the brain. Discusses behavioral, neurological, endocrinological studies, and studies of the effects of hormones on brain functioning that show a relationship between cognitive variations and sex. (MCO)

Results are reported for a series of 13 studies examining individual differences in information processing efficiency. The tasks used represented different content domains and levels of processing complexity. A total of 680 individuals (balanced between males and females, and aged 18 to 25 years) were tested. Subjects were selected from…

Examines how male/female differences in time perception, power, thought, relationships, responsibility, process vs. product, conservation and exploitation, and leadership contribute to positive growth in outdoor learning. Suggests concepts of feminism, androgyny, and personality theory have implications for understanding camping experiences for…

Researchers investigated the effects of sex differences on the relationship between conservation ability and the reading and linguistic awareness of five-year-old children. Findings of this study and others consistently support the hypothesis that conservation ability correlates more highly with reading in girls than in boys. (Author/PP)

This paper reviews recent literature in order to identify factors affecting student performance in introductory high school and college physics courses. An important factor identified was formation of cognitive structures such as formation of problem solving schemata. It was concluded that Piagetian concepts such as concrete and abstract reasoning…

Recent research which focuses on organizational differences in the brains of males and females has an important impact on the way women are portrayed in the male-dominated mass media. Generalizations from highly speculative research findings conclude that information is gathered and problems are solved differently by men and women. Most…

Seldom are college students introduced to theories that describe how they and other students change intellectually during their college years. Two epistemological perspectives on cognitive development in college students and how they can be presented to students are examined in this paper. The first perspective is William Perry's forms of…

The distinction between "stereotype" as a cognitive structure and "stereotyping" as a complex set of intra- and inter-personal processes is discussed in light of relevant research in cognitive and social psychology. (Author/EB)

Introduces the topic of feminist psychology. Reviews relevant literature regarding bias against women in past research, and discusses each article in the issue. Identifies the common issue of all articles as epistemology: what we can know, how we know, and how the knowledge we have relates to who we are. (JS)

Examined differences in cognitive and metacognitive processes of 40 high- and low-mathematics-ability students in grade 12 as they solved 5 everyday mathematics problems. Competence in problem solving was characterized by a rich knowledge base, metacognitive strategies, and confidence. Boys and girls exhibited different cognitive structures for…

Reviews developmental literature on cognitive gender differences; and compares past and present trends in gender differences, by age, from standardizations of the Wechsler Intelligence Scales and the California Achievement Tests. Decreases are found in gender differences for adolescents but not for adults. Implications are discussed. (SLD)