A cross-sectional study of educated men and women showed that cautiousness, as measured by perceived problem-solving ability, does not increase with age. Sex differences were nonsignificant. The results are discussed in terms of R. Schultz and J. Heckhausen's Life Span Model of Successful Aging. (Contains 28 references and 1 table.) (Author)

Examined research involving over 3,000 adolescents from various cultures to determine problems typical of this developmental phase and ways of coping with normative demands. Found that adolescents' response to problems stemming from different developmental fields such as parents, peers, school, or future involved three main modes of coping: Active…

Studies differences in boys' and girls' (N=158) mathematical problem-solving behavior in relation to two types of tasks, computations and applications. Differences were dependent on contents of tasks and gender. Girls rated themselves lower on confidence and attributed bad results more often to lack of capacity and to the task difficulty. No…

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 effects of previous exposure to the Reach Out to Schools: Social Competency Program (SCP) on the middle school adjustment of sixth grade students. SCP is designed to teach children social skills to help them to communicate better, solve problems and build stronger relationships. Results show associations between program exposure and…

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…

Examines research on sex differences in expectations regarding compliance-related behaviors and the resulting implications for early childhood practice. Identifies sex differences in problem-solving competence and the possible contribution of sex differences in compliance to and dependence on adults. Presents strategies to help preschoolers learn…

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…

This paper reviews literature documenting gender differences in beliefs related to mathematics achievement. The areas included in the discussion are: (1) gender differences in mathematics achievement and self-referenced cognitions, (2) the effect of confidence and anxiety on mathematics performance and expenditure of effort, and (3) confidence and…

Abstracts of 12 mathematics education research reports and critical comments (by the abstractors) about the reports are provided in this issue of Investigations in Mathematics Education. The reports are: "More Precisely Defining and Measuring the Order-Irrelevance Principle" (Arthur Baroody); "Children's Relative Number Judgments:…

The purpose of this study was to determine whether the private speech of 40 kindergarten children involved in a problem-solving task differed according to gender, socioeconomic status, sociability, and academic ability. The introductory chapter provides a brief summary of the theoretical views of Piaget and Vygotsky concerning private speech.…

This issue of the journal contains abstracts and critiques of 11 research reports. They concern: a case study of one child's strategies for mental addition; children's understanding of fractions; computation routines prescribed by schools; models in verbal problem solving; predicting eighth-grade algebra achievement; the effectiveness of…

Fourteen research reports related to mathematics education are abstracted and analyzed. Two of the reports concern studies funded by the National Science Foundation to provide an assessment of the status of science education; three deal with teaching methods, three with conditional reasoning, two with problem solving, two with intellectual…

Nine articles discuss research on cooperative learning with computers and how student interactions at the computer facilitate learning. Current research on cooperative learning methods and computer-assisted learning; and microcomputer-based group problem solving, social-cognitive behaviors, higher order thinking, interdependence, autonomy,…

A review of research on children's symbolic play discusses ways for teachers to (1) defend the inclusion of play in the curriculum; (2) understand and respect differences in the ways children play; and (3) facilitate play in the classroom. Discusses the complexity of play and the controversy about play as part of the curriculum. (GLR)