This paper takes the position that theories about individual differences in childhood and theories about cognitive development both would be enhanced if the two lines of research were integrated. The heuristic value of this position is illustrated in the context of analogical reasoning tasks. A general model of analogy solution and potential…

TO VERIFY A PREVIOUSLY OBSERVED DEVELOPMENTAL INVERSION IN PROBLEM-SOLVING ABILITY AND TO EXPLORE PROBLEM-SOLVING STRATEGIES, RESEARCHERS GAVE A SET OF SEQUENTIAL-PATTERN RECOGNITION TESTS TO 316 CHILDREN, REPRESENTING NURSERY SCHOOL THROUGH SIXTH GRADE. EACH TEST CONSISTED OF FINDING TOKENS PLACED BEHIND 5 DOORS IN A PREDETERMINED PATTERN. THE…

RESEARCH OBJECTIVES WERE (A) TO DEVELOP A BATTERY OF INSIGHT-PROBLEMS FOR USE IN PROBLEM-SOLVING RESEARCH, (B) TO REPLICATE A TRAINING EXPERIMENT IN ORDER TO DETERMINE WHAT A SUBJECT MIGHT HAVE LEARNED IN A SPECIFIC SITUATION WHICH COULD INFLUENCE NONSPECIFIC SITUATIONS, AND (C) TO ATTEMPT TO TEACH SUBJECTS STRATEGY WHICH WILL ALLOW THEM TO…

SCIENCE UNITS CONSTRUCTED TO DIRECTLY TEACH CRITICAL THINKING ARE COMPARED WITH CONVENTIONAL SCIENCE UNITS FOR EFFECTIVENESS IN THE TEACHING OF CRITICAL THINKING. THE SAMPLE INCLUDED 1,554 FOURTH, FIFTH, AND SIXTH GRADE STUDENTS TAUGHT BY 65 TEACHERS IN FIVE DIFFERENT SCHOOL SYSTEMS. TEACHERS OF THE 469 STUDENTS IN THE RESEARCH GROUP WERE…

This book, containing conference papers and a summary of activities, focuses on the contributions which current research in cognitive psychology can make to the solution of problems in instructional design. The first three parts of the book include sets of research contributions followed by discussions: part one deals with different strategies for…

This discussion of transitive inferences (if A greater than B & B greater than C, then A greater thean C) emphasizes an information processing analysis of logical thought. The two basic factors considered in such an analysis are (1) the task environment, including its structure, demands, decisions required, and information given; and (2) the…

The purpose of the study was to see if systematic instruction in terms of a multi-experience approach improved verbal problem solving ability, to determine what differences resulted when concrete experiences were not used, and to ascertain the effects of delayed recall on the two different methods. A sample of 15 groups of six fourth-grade…

This study investigated the influence of reflective and impulsive problem solving styles on the information processing proficiency focusing of fifth and ninth grade boys and girls using a concept identification procedure developed by Levine (1966). The major findings include: (1) both ninth grade Ss as compared with fifth grade Ss, and reflective…

The case for integrating the problem-solving approach to learning with traditional explanatory and demonstrative approaches, but not replacing them, when teaching biology is presented. (ND)

The discriminative learning and transfer of compound and component problems were assessed in retarded subjects at two levels of intelligence. (Author/SB)

Three experiments explored the development of formal logical reasoning between Grades 4 and 12 and the role of semantic content in the solution of Wason's (1966) selection task problems. Results suggest that formal logical reasoning is not generally present during the fourth or sixth grades and that formal logical competence becomes available in…

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)

Programs to teach students critical thinking must empower them to be self-directed, but they must also stress respect and empathy for the viewpoints of others. (Author/TE)

Thinking tools bring sound instructional theory into the classroom in a practical form that students and teachers both enjoy using. Six such tools are described that have the general characteristics of psychological validity, concreteness, relevance to teachers, and differentiation by type of learning. (TE)

Suggests basic principles to guide the construction of an integrated sequential guide for thinking skills instruction throughout the K-12 curriculum. Strategies emphasize introducing and reinforcing cognitive operations such as information processing, problem solving, critical thinking, and decision making. (TE)