Predictions about reaction times (RT) from Siegler's model were tested for the balance scale task with 6- to 22-year-olds. Regression analyses provided additional knowledge of the rules. Rule II was reformulated as a rule that always involves the encoding but not always the correct application of the distance rule. RTs provided evidence for use of…

Investigates the development of narrative thought by analyzing the structural complexity and social-psychological understanding displayed in the story compositions of 151 adolescents aged 10 to 18 years. A clear developmental progression was observed in structural complexity in terms of plot structure and the construction of flashbacks. (Contains…

Three studies investigated whether eye gaze cueing in 4-month-old infants is the result of a domain-specific module or reflects the activity of domain-general processes. In two of three experiments, infants perceived apparent motion of the pupils, and this directly elicited saccades, but only when this motion was preceded by a period of direct…

Two studies examined whether 4-year-olds' difficulty using relational information in spatial tasks was due, in part, to their inability to deal with situations where both objective and egocentric cues were available and pointed to different responses. Findings indicated that the presence of conflict significantly affected children's performance in…

Two studies with 3-, 4-, and 5-year-olds examined whether young children can differentiate expertise in the minds of others. Findings indicated that all children could correctly attribute observable knowledge to familiar experts, such as a car mechanic. Preschoolers had difficulty making attribution of knowledge of scientific principles to…

Data from 180 British construction companies were collected to examine processes of organizational culture, cognition, and competition and their effects on organizational performance. Double-loop learning provided a competitive advantage and was most likely in competitive cultures, although cooperative cultures also increased performance.…

Three experiments in which photo or video presentations could guide one's search for a hidden object showed that under certain circumstances even 24-month-olds displayed representational insight. The first two experiments replicated earlier findings of chance performance across 4 trials, with 24-month-olds performing above chance in 3 of 4…

Investigates the cognitive and linguistic demands of learning algebra and explores students' understanding of algebraic notation. Findings indicate specific origins of misinterpretation that include intuitive assumptions and pragmatic reasoning about a new notation, analogies with familiar symbol systems, interference from new learning in…

Summarizes presentations given at a recent White House Conference which showed that early experiences, particularly in the first three years of life, have a dramatic impact on brain development. Includes presentations on such topics as parent education, brain functioning, quality caregiving and child care services, and early intervention programs.…

Examines the role attributed to cultural mediation in Piaget's and Vygotsky's theories. Mediation of human action by cultural artifacts was central to Vygotsky's account of human development, but less important for Piaget. Vygotsky's claims regarding social origins of individual mental processes need to be understood in light of claims regarding…

Piaget's theory has been characterized as descriptive and not explanatory, not qualifying as causal explanation. Piaget was consistent in showing how his theory was both explanatory and causal. Vygotsky also endorsed causal-genetic explanation but, on the basis of knowledge of only Piaget's earliest works, he claimed that Piaget's theory was not…

Two complementary concepts of creative thinking are discussed, regression and progression, both of which are in the service of the ego. Interactions between the field dependence-independence and fixity-mobility styles are discussed, as are psychoanalytic, trait, physiological, and developmental perspectives of style. (Author/DB)

Eight-, 10-, and 19-year-olds performed a verbal or spatial domain primary memory task. The task was performed alone or in conjunction with a verbal or spatial secondary memory task. In their performance of the primary task, only 8-year-olds showed interference by a secondary task that was based on a different domain from the primary task. (BC)

Effects of career interventions on vocational construct differentiation and integration were tested with 121 undergraduates in 4 groups: Vocational Card Sort (n=31), Self-Directed Search (n=28), System of Interactive Guidance and Information Plus (n=31), and controls (n=31). All three interventions had a substantial impact on vocational cognitive…

Provided 2- and 2.5-year-olds with partial visual information about a ball's path as it moved toward a hiding place. Found that both age groups were equally proficient at tracking the ball as it rolled behind a transparent screen with 4 opaque doors, but 2.5-year-olds were more likely to reach to the correct door when asked to find the ball.…