This paper describes and discusses three studies concerned with the representation of children's knowledge as revealed in the ways that children, ages 5 to 17, perform a scientific induction task. A variant of Piaget's balance scale prediction problem was chosen as the experimental task; a formal model for different levels of children's knowledge…

The authors' investigations of the antecedents and consequences of the empathy response have been guided by a three-component model of empathy. Two of these components are cognitive: the ability to discriminate and label affective states in others, and the ability to assume the perspective and role of another person. Emotional capacity and…

Based on the idea that mastery of reading is a complex problem to be solved by a child, the author discusses the learning-to-read process as a series of discoveries of solutions to subproblems, all of which are then ordered into a total system. As a child's attempted solutions approximate more closely the reality of each aspect of the reading…

Three tasks are described in the development of a Valuing Lexicon: 1) the identification of a hierarchy of cognitive processes; 2) the identification of the affective components; and, 3) the clarification of the relationships between the two. For the purpose of clarifying the development of the lexicon, Krathwohl's hierarchy on what 'valuing'…

Low (conjunctive), medium (disjunctive), and high (biconditional) level concept attainment problems were used to assess whether high level versus low and/or medium difficulty concept rules yield less positive transfer for observers than models. Direct learning and transfer of models was compared with vicarious learning and transfer of observers.…

Three generic types of information processing (IP) models are considered in this paper. They are: the General Problem Solver, developed by Simon; interactive natural language models exemplified by the work of Weizenbaum, and the quantitative instructional models developed by Atkinson. These were selected primarily because of their potential for…

A survey of the literature concerning the mental processes used in reading reveals a proliferation of molecular theories which explain only a small (and frequently neurological) component of the reading act. Enough information exists, however, to sketch an integrated, molar model of the reading process, which stresses the interrelationships…

Presents the conceptual levels theory of Hunt and his associates. Indicates how it can be used as a means to develop a theoretical framework from which the validity of unified science curricula can be examined. (HM)

Two experiments used the sentence-picture verification paradigm to study encoding and comparison processes with spatial information. Subjects decided whether a spatial description of a geometric figure matched a second figure. Three critical results demonstrated that task-specific variables could be the primary determinants of how subjects verify…

Investigates the relationships between levels of cognitive complexity and three levels (graphic, formal, and inferred) of modeling complexity in community college students. (GA)

Presents a problem-solving model comprised of nine generalizations derived from the methods and principles which guided the investigations of the fictional London detective, Sherlock Holmes. (EM)

This paper reviews a curriculum program that was focused on promoting intellectual and ethical development in college students. It considers it in a historical and philosophical framework, then describes a research study based on the original program. Paper presented at the American Psychological Association Convention, Chicago, 1975. (Author/BP)

Explains the hierarchic structure of the mammalian visual system. Proposes a model in which feedback pathways serve to modify sensory stimuli in ways that enhance and complete sensory input patterns. Investigates the functioning of the system through computer simulations. (ML)

Describes recent theoretical developments in cognitive psychology that can be applied to second language acquisition, including consideration of linguistic theories in addressing the role of mental processes in second language acquisition, current cognitive learning theory, and possible applications of a theoretical model to memory representation,…

Research has uncovered the underlying processes of reading. Research on three of these processes is reviewed: (1) elucidating a general model of reading; (2) developing word recognition accuracy and efficiency; and (3) improving comprehension through the training of text processing and through enhancement of vocabulary and background knowledge.…