The frequency and distribution of social problem-solving strategies, goals, targets, and outcomes were coded during preschoolers' free play. Flexibility and persistence in problem-solving sequences were examined, and the relative importance of strategies, goals, targets, and the identity of the problem solver in predicting social problem-solving…

This study compared responses of 20 Chinese and 20 U.S. students to the 9-dot problem, a problem demonstrating the common assumption of nonexistent boundaries. There were significant effects of culture (significantly more Chinese students solved the problem), age, and interaction between culture and age and between culture and sex. (DB)

Occasions where children oppose each other have been viewed as promoting intellectual development through their association with "transactive" dialogue. Yet such occasions have also been regarded as causing problems for social relations through their association with aggression. Although it is inconceivable that the intellectual and…

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…

Single- or mixed-gender pairs of elementary children were told either to work cooperatively on a computer-based language task or be assessed individually. Performance measures indicated a disadvantage for mixed pairs, improved performance for cooperative pairs. Girls tended to cooperate regardless of being told to or not; mixed pairs cooperated…

The metacognitive performance of 87 Arab typically developing adolescents and 20 Arab adolescents with deafness was examined. There was no significant difference between the students in metacognitive performance, nor were there gender-based differences among students with deafness. However, hearing female students scored significantly higher on…

Examined nature and frequency of problems and help-seeking preferences of 60 persons of Chinese origin. Results confirm that family was preferred first choice of help for psychological and interpersonal problems, with friends being frequent second choice for females. No overall significant differences were found between males and females.…

This study reports on cultural and gender differences in the spatial abilities of children based on the Water Level Task. The Piagetian theory of age-related developmental differences in performance on the Water Level Task was explored with Chinese and Malay children living in Singapore. Results indicate that children in this study did not perform…

Children ages 9-10 (n=30) were given social skills training and their scores on computer tasks were compared with 30 controls. Males scored highest on the pre and posttest. Females in mixed-sex groups scored better than females in girls-only groups. Girls who received social skills training had the highest rate of improvement. (SK)

Factor analysis of coping behavior in adolescents in Frankfurt, Germany, and Tel Aviv yielded similar structures, but Israelis demonstrated a marked preference for internal coping strategies as opposed to coping by means of social resources. Discusses the impact of environmental and historical conditions. (DM)

Comparison of performance in 3 practical problem-solving tasks by eighth graders in Singapore (170 boys, 107 girls matched for aptitude, attitude, and prior knowledge) indicated that girls distinctly preferred content familiarity and outperformed boys in several processes/skills when familiar with content. (SK)

Examined gender differences in depressive symptoms during adolescence related to gender-typed characteristics, problem solving abilities, and stressful life events in Canada. Surveys of high school students indicated that girls reported more depressive symptoms and scored higher on expressivity, whereas boys reported more instrumental attributes.…

Studied the relationship between gender and mathematical problem solving in 83 male and 76 female high achieving Canadian 12-year-olds. Gender differences were found on the Canadian Test of Basic Skills but not on the GAUSS assessment. Implications for the discussion of the origin of gender differences in mathematics are discussed. (SLD)

Two experiments involving 44 Hong Kong undergraduates revealed that solving novel conceptual combination problems could enhance performance in a subsequent test of creativity. The evidence also showed that the beneficial effects of solving novel conceptual combination problems were mediated in part by the use of novel conceptual combination…