Human infants are predisposed to organize their experience in terms of certain concepts (natural) and not others (unnatural). Three formal, necessary conditions on the naturalness of concepts are offered. The conditions attempt to link the problem of naturalness to principled distinctions between sense vs nonsense, simplicity vs complexity, and…

The assumption that subjects compare symbolic stimulus magnitudes with respect to a reference point was examined. Results indicate that subjects can strategically vary the process for comparing stimuli to a reference point and can perform various types of analog arithmetic using the linear number scale or a nonlinear scale of subjective digit…

This paper analyzes and raises questions about two existing moral education programs, and suggests directions for future research in this area. Paper presented at the American Psychological Association Convention, Chicago, 1975. (Author/BP)

The attention hypothesis of Zeaman and House is examined through a systematic, computer-simulation analysis of the parameter interactions found in One-Look model. (Author/SB)

This study deals with the patterns of word-by-word reading times over a sentence when the subject must code the linguistic information sufficiently for immediate verbatim recall. A class of quantitative models is considered that would account for reading times at phrase breaks. (Author/RM)

The implications of the interaction between knowledge acquisition and problem solving are discussed. Options for the teaching of problem solving are listed including: giving students the opportunity to solve many problems, facilitating students' exploration of the mental processes used to solve problems, and providing explicit training in the…

Examines how the child approaches reading and spelling in the light of the developmental sequence of phonological awareness skills, by looking at the growth of these skills from the initial formation of each skill through the early stages of their development. (RS)

Data were generally consistent with the view that preschoolers and elementary schoolers can respond to memory probes by applying arithmetical processing to running gist from recently solved problems. Discussed are two competing interpretations of the development of working memory: fuzzy-trace theory and the generic-resources hypothesis. (Author/RH)

This research examined the relationships between ego functioning in adolescence and two domains of operational thinking: social interpersonal reasoning and physical-mathematical reasoning in 139 high school seniors. Results indicated significant differences between males and females in patterns of correlations and in patterns of relationships in a…

This monograph examines the assessment of moral development over the past half century. Recent renewed interest in the field has led to the creation of new techniques and to the refinement of existing methods. Unsolved problems in theory and in technical development provide challenges for researchers in the future. (LMO)

Outlines two hypotheses about the reasons for obscurity in expository writing and notes that neither accounts for the general results of an exploratory study of the writing of postgraduates nor for the individual cases presented. Argues that a crucial factor is a person's implicit model of expository writing. (FL)

Discusses several experiential education learning models and explores the concept of "processing" as an integral component of experiential learning. Presents a method of approaching the design of processing activities and makes suggestions for successful use of the method. (SB)

Results of the testing of Hample's cognitive model of argument suggest that the model's validity is greater than previously indicated. (PD)

Discusses current use of psychological theory in software science and reviews recent developments in cognitive psychology relevant to programing (human information processing, expert-novice differences). Critique of Maurice Halstead's model of cognitive aspects of programing and a structured data flow perspective (control flow and data flow…

Argues that knowing something about students' cognitive strategies can help teachers to match their teaching to their learning. Reports on a study that investigated students' cognitive strategies. (FL)