Recent studies are examined for methodological adequacy in establishing dimensions of individual differences in information-processing abilities, and the theoretical problems involved in inferring psychological processes from individual difference dimensions. Methodological inadequacies include use of small samples, questionable procedures in…

Black students that were grouped for English ability by their standardized test scores translated a standard English text into black dialect. Analytical data show group differences in dialect facility that correlate to standard English ability, suggesting that language development affects both dialect performance and standard English learning. (RL)

The validity of the constructs underlying the Clark-Trow Typology of College Student Subcultures--academic interests and non-academic interests--are confirmed. However, there are indications that the involvement with ideas dimension does not discriminate satisfactorily among the four student groups. (Author/MV)

The diversity among interpretations of single items in personality questionnaires has been noted previously. Using adjectives from the Adjective Check List (ACL), the study sought evidence bearing on these questions: Does such diversity make the responses to an item not comparable across subjects? If so, what are the implications for scores based…

Rather than requiring individuals to adapt to means of instruction, the desired objective is to adapt the conditions of instruction to individuals. This objective can be realized if learning can be designed to take account of an individual's profile of achievements and cognitive skills. (Author/GC)

The language development of monozygotic twins, same-sex dizygotic twins, siblings of monozygotic twins, and siblings of dizygotic twins, ages 3-17, was studied to estimate how much of the individual variation in children's language skills results from genetic factors and how much from environmental experience. (BRT)

Research on job analysis and on the application of that data to the problem of selection test construction has grown out of its infancy. However, there is insufficient evidence for the sole use of any method for the construction of a content valid test. Proposes that multiple methods of job analysis be used and specifically that a task-oriented…

Benjamin S. Bloom claims in his new book, "Human Characteristics and School Learning", that any child can learn anything taught in school, given enough time and quality teaching. Author does not share his optimism. (Editor/RK)

Using a cross-sectional design and canonical regression analysis, the differential relationships between work values and social, educational, and occupational experiences and aspirations were examined for boys and girls in grades 6, 9, 10, and 12. Support was found for predicted differences in work-values correlates across grades and between…

Discusses the writing of 12-year-old boys who write daily. Presents case studies of five individual boys and describes their genre choices, individual writing strengths and weaknesses, and attitudes toward the writing process. (SKC)

Examines the coherence of attachment organization during late adolescence in a sample of 53 college freshmen. Three kinds of working models were assessed with the Adult Attachment Interview: Dismissing of Attachment, Secure, and Preoccupied with Attachment. Findings are interpreted in terms of different styles of affect regulation and…

Professional review teams in nine Third World countries assessed a sample of children referred as probable cases (or as controls) from a door to door household survey of 1000+ children aged 3 to 9 years. Examines the criteria used by the teams in determining whether or not the children should be classified as severely mentally handicapped. (RWB)

Examines whether three-month-old infants can detect variations within the single expression category of smiling and whether individual differences in infants' sensitivities are related to identifiable mother or infant behaviors. (HOD)

Forty lessons given in secondary schools were observed and described in terms of the eight dimensions of a teaching rating scale: preparedness, pace and flow, transitions, cognitive matching, clarity, business-like, withitness, and encouragingness. The study indicated that this approach provided a useful heuristic device for the constructive…

Describes a study done to determine whether the degree of children's familiarity with component words was related to (1) their ability to produce productive patterns as opposed to associative and grouping patterns, and (2) their ability to use broader scope rather than lexically based patterns. (SED)