Training improves the ability of human observers to discriminate between two similar directions of motion. This gradual improvement is specific to the direction on which an observer is trained, enduring for several months. Improvement does not affect motion perception generally, nor does it depend on recognition of details of the movement. (Author)

Forty-two deaf children, eight- to 12-years-old and randomly divided into two groups, viewed the television program "Shazam" without captions (Group 1) and with captions at a simple language level (Group 2). Results indicated that captions enhance perception of emotional complexity by deaf children. (Author/MC)

Two experiments tested possible explanations for previous research demonstrating lower span of apprehension for learning disabled students. In experiment 1, the length of visual persistence was less for LD subjects, while in experiment 2, the rate of information pick-up was slower for LD subjects. (CL)

Compared three tests of visual-motor integration: The Revised Test of Visual-Motor Integration (VMI-R), the Test of Visual-Motor Integration (VMI), and the Bender Visual-Motor Gestalt Test (BG). Results showed significantly higher BG age equivalent scores. Highly significant correlations were found among all variables. (WAS)

The effects of varying training settings and objects on the development of skill generalization were studied with 60 retarded students (5-16 years old). Research procedures were identical for all groups except for the manipulation of settings and objects. A factorial analysis of covariance supported the prediction that the visual discrimination…

The study evaluated the importance to successful lipreading of a specific visual memory for mouth shape sequences in 23 hearing impaired children (11 to 16 years old) and 16 adults. Results suggested the use of sequence-memory training with articulatory shapes for lipreading instruction. (Author/SB)

The effectiveness of testing instruments for field dependence-independence in spatial-visual ability in children is questioned, since they may not measure the same dimensions as those for older children and adults. The effects of training on performance of spatial-visual tasks are discussed, with a warning to monitor training programs carefully.…

In three experiments, this study addressed two basic questions about the detection of multiletter patterns: (1) How is the detection of a multiletter pattern related to the detection of its individual components? (2) How is the detection of a sequence of letters influenced by the observer's familiarity with that sequence? (Author/BW)

Examined imagery questionnaires and addressed issues of reliability, agreement among questionnaires, social desirability, and construct validity. The Betts and Gordon scales and the Paivio Individual Differences Questionnaire were examined. Reliability of the Paivio inventory was satisfactory and equivalent to other imagery questionnaires. Imagery…

There was not a significant relationship between good or poor handwriting ability and a perceptual quotient score of above or below 90 on the Marianne Frostig Developmental Test of Visual Perception. (Author)

Four studies showed that a substantial proportion of their subjects, aged four to seven years, responded as if elements "out of sight" in pictures were either nonexistent or imcomplete. Termed "literalism," this mode of responding was related to age but little influenced by training or another form of structured experience.…

Examines how differences in the verbal and nonverbal behaviors available to persons influence their accuracy in detecting deceptive communication. (JMF)

Reports a series of studies that investigated the role of parafoveal vision in reading by using the Stroop phenomenon. Supports the "peripheral search guidance" process of Hochberg's model of reading, and provides evidence of processing variations across retinal location. (RL)

This study was designed to explore the sensitivity of children to orthographic structure, particularly across two grade levels and between two levels of reading ability within each grade. (HOD)