Examined parental drug knowledge to determine effects of socialization in a drug culture and drug knowledge. Surveyed parents (N=200) and compared scores to those from similar early 1970s tests. Found today's parents had drug knowledge scores only slightly higher than early l970s parents and completion of drug education course was most significant…

Examines young children's preferences and understanding regarding external and internal causes of behavior. Considers research in four areas: (1) knowledge of psychological states; (2) understanding that psychological states can cause behavior; (3) preference for internal versus external causes; and (4) discounting. (RJC)

Notes that few investigations have addressed adolescents' conception of knowledge. Provides a rationale as to why it may be useful to more adequately explore how adolescents view knowledge. Reviews existing investigations and discusses three general approaches to the study of the subject. (Author/NB)

Of 378 gerontological nurses surveyed in New Zealand, 42 percent felt involved in psychotropic drug-related decisions; 86 percent felt they should be involved. Nurses favored subjective drug assessment techniques. They were aware of potential of psychotropic drugs to interfere with cognition, but many failed to identify series of bogus side…

The role of prior knowledge in elaboration strategies was examined in 3 experiments involving 304 college students.. Elaborative interrogation was most effective when learners were able to draw on a rich knowledge base. When the knowledge base was low, imagery-based strategies were more potent than elaborative interrogation. (SLD)

It has previously been reported that a Pathfinder-based representation of domain knowledge is more predictive of classroom examination performance than the underlying data from which the Pathfinder representation is derived (relatedness ratings of pairs of concepts). Why this should be is analyzed with test results from 141 college students. (SLD)

The Alzheimer's Disease Knowledge Test (ADKT) was administered to samples of practicing nurses in the U.S. and Hong Kong. Overall, U.S. nurses were significantly more knowledgeable, but exhibited more negative bias than Hong Kong nurses. Findings suggest that nurses in both countries need more training. (JPS)

Two studies involving 135 college students examined the effects of instructional activities that provided either relevant domain knowledge or knowledge about comprehension strategies. The two studies did not provide unequivocal information regarding the efficacy of these activities, although results suggest that strategy instruction may compensate…

Examined requirement that college students (n=402) receive information mandated by Drug Free Schools and Communities Act. Mailings used for meeting federal mandate were ineffective. Students knew much about mandated information before they entered college. Effective communication with students appeared to be a function of type of information…

Compared 59 adult children of alcoholics (ACOAs) and 175 adult children of nonalcoholics (non-ACOAs) on self-concept, anxiety, and their knowledge of ACOA issues. Found no significant differences on self-concept and knowledge of ACOA issues. Significant differences were found on levels of anxiety, such that ACOAs had higher anxiety levels than did…

Describes how a teacher-researcher used knowledge modeling as a basis for assessing students' knowledge. Discusses how the scoring template was created and how the students' recollections were scored. Finds that students with no prior knowledge of a subject were at a disadvantage in the classroom. (PRA)

Examines five to seven year olds' assumptions about the experiential connotation of "I know that's X." Two experiments compare two groups of children (five and six year olds, six and seven year olds) who were asked to choose between items and asked whether they were sure or whether they knew they had made the right choice. (21 references) (GLR)

University students of Spanish at three different course levels were used in a study of the effects of topic familiarity on second-language listening comprehension. Findings regarding the supporting role of background knowledge are consistent with many second-language reading and listening studies. (Contains 45 references.) (LB)

Shows that residents in and near Richmond, Virginia (the state capital), are significantly more knowledgeable about state politics than are residents living elsewhere in the state, and that Richmond residents are exposed to far more news of state politics and government. (SR)

This study evaluated the effectiveness of educational brochures in increasing participants' knowledge about the environmental problem of gypsy moth infestations and associated action strategies. Results suggest that brochures rated high in communication effectiveness were most useful in increasing knowledge. (Contains 28 references.) (Author/MDH)