Criticizes the Mitchell and Lawson (1988) report from the viewpoint of individual interview method. Provides Lawson's reply to the comment by showing differences in research philosophy and methods. (YP)

Reexamined Piagetian stages of males (N=182) and females (N=176), ages nine to eighteen, using cluster analysis, and sought information concerning occurrence of stages and influence of different tasks and gender on cluster patterns. Findings, among others, indicate that deviation from Piagetian stages was influenced by gender and type of task.…

Determined if certain variations in the format of Inhelder and Piaget's Equilibrium in the Balance task have any effect on how students (175 undergraduate and 32 ninth graders) are classified. Suggests that researchers allow subjects to experiment with the apparatus to insure proper classification of stage of development. (Author/DS)