Discusses work by Arthur Jensen in addition to his well-known work on the genetics of intelligence. Includes studies of learning, memory, the cumulative-deficit hypothesis, Spearman's hypothesis, and the speed of information processing. (SLD)

Literature from the field of developmental behavior suggests that the relative effect of genetic influences on cognitive ability may increase with age, whereas the relative effect of shared environment may decrease. Implications of these findings are discussed, including the importance of studying environmental issues outside the family.…

Investigates the knowledge and understanding among 482 students nearing the end of compulsory education of genetics. Finds a poor understanding of the processes by which genetic information in transferred and a lack of basic knowledge about the structures involved. (Author/CCM)

Examines the possibility that language confusion can be mistaken for misconception. Uses a written test to diagnose physics misconceptions among South African students. Reports that in several cases distracters were chosen by subjects who did not hold the target misconceptions. Indicates that caution is needed in interpreting student responses to…

This review essay of the book, "Developmental Dyslexia: Neural, Cognitive and Genetic Mechanisms," edited by Christopher H. Chase and others, describes the book's review of the research literature in these three fields and its efforts to integrate the divergent research strands. The book is recommended to researchers in dyslexia, clinicians, and…

This paper reviews current knowledge of the genetic epidemiology of autism and other pervasive developmental disorders (PDDs). It notes widespread agreement that the PDDs are caused, at least in part, by genetic factors and some agreement on the phenotypic boundaries associated with these same genetic factors. Remaining research issues are…

Addresses two areas where science has been and still is used to justify policies and attitudes that are discriminatory and oppressive: homosexuality and alcoholism. This article analyzes the debate over whether these correlations are biologically or socially determined. Of particular concern is the potential impact of biological determinism on the…

The views of Dutch women on the implications of the analysis of the human genome were studied by questionnaire and interview. Although a serious lack of knowledge about the topic was found, interviews produced a broad range of problematic issues. Attention to gender implications of gene technology is needed. (Author/EMK)

Researchers in molecular biology are discovering an increasing genetic basis for a wide range of mental diseases, moods, behaviors, and personality traits. Findings are creating the context for a new sociobiology favoring a genetic interpretation of human motivations and drives. Genetic engineering will give some people unprecedented power over…

Describes a study of how people use metaphors to make sense of scientific phenomena and ideas in a process of extended group discussion. Interviews that involved reading an edited scientific text on DNA then discussing a number of questions about various aspects of genetics provide the data for this study. Contains 16 references. (DDR)

Explains the mechanism of producing dynamic computer pages which is based on three technologies: (1) the document object model; (2) cascading stylesheets; and (3) javascript. Discusses the applications of these techniques in genetics and developmental biology. (YDS)

Paints a different picture of students' reasoning with meiosis as they solved complex, computer-generated genetics problems, some of which required them to revise their understanding of meiosis in response to anomalous data. Students were able to develop a rich understanding of meiosis and can utilize that knowledge to solve genetics problems.…

Describes the topics and teaching strategies employed in an Issues in Biology course. Discusses flowers, plant breeding, potatoes and tomatoes, the chocolate tree, weeds, Arabidopis, gene transfers, and plant genes/human genes. Contains 22 references. (JRH)

Siblings and parents of 39 children with dyscalculia were assessed for arithmetic, reading, and attention disorders. Findings indicated a familial prevalence of dyscalculia almost tenfold higher than expected for the general population and suggest that dyscalculia, like other learning disabilities, has a significant familial aggregation,…

Offers a new perspective on traditional problems in genetics on kernel color in corn, including information about genetic regulation, metabolic pathways, and evolution of genes. (Contains 15 references.) (ASK)