Criticizes developmental psychologist Lawrence Kohlberg's theory of education which classifies children according to their stage in moral development and then attempts to manipulate them from stage to stage. The author feels that Kohlberg insults religious faith, intrudes upon a parent's right to direct his/her child's moral upbringing, and turns…

Although in favor of developmental psychologist Lawrence Kohlberg's theory of moral development, the author cautions about possible results of using moral reasoning discussions in the classroom. These include: (1) indoctrination, (2) moral authoritarianism, (3) relativism, (4) the "morality as medicine" syndrome, (5) and the "doing Kohlberg"…

Focuses on studies related to Piaget's specifications for secondary student's development from concrete to formal level thinking. Discusses three problem areas in Piagetian analysis: (1) specification of logical formal thought model, (2) underlying assumptions, and (3) empirical findings. Comments on application problems. Assesses Piagetian…

The effects of performance-enhancing modifications of testing procedures of a Piagetian-type instrument were investigated for samples of elementary school-aged White, Black, and Mexican-American children. Results are discussed in terms of test validity. (JKS)

A number of philosophical points of view that have guided parents' attempts to socialize their children are presented. Research findings and conclusions that explore the impact on children of parental disciplinary practices are discussed. (Author/AM)

Children and undergraduate students were studied to expose "structure-neutral" interpretations of logical propositions involving universal affirmatives. Successes with true and false questions and with four different syllogistic forms having three content types were compared. Age-related differences in performance were discussed with…

Male and female college undergraduates were classified according to Marcia's identity statuses (achievement, moratorium, foreclosure, and diffusion). Sex differences related to identity status, and relationship of identity status to achievement need, fear of success, fear of failure, and self esteem were also discussed. (CP)

Despite differences in origin and orientation, Piagetian theory and criterion referenced measurement share a general purpose--that of diagnosing human behavior. Beginning with a review of both perspectives, this paper illustrates their highly comparable natures and indicates how they could be used together to improve student evaluation. (Author/…

The use of an elaborative process by kindergarten children in the performance of verbally presented arithmetic addition problems was investigated. A static rather than dynamic verbally described relation between stimulus sets resulted in more correct responses for two of nine Developmental Level X Prompt Condition groups, supporting the use of…

Instead of expending enormous energy investigating limits that may be biologically (or evolutionarily) determined, it may make more sense to expend resources on developing additional, mostly undeveloped capacities that will enable ordinary people to perform at levels far beyond what they achieve through our present educational programs. (Author/EB)

A model comprised of five stages of faculty development is described. Individual faculty are located along a continuum, beginning at a stage where knowledge is seen as an unambiguous entity and teaching as a simple presentation of facts, and progressing to a level of more complex attitudes. Validation for and implications of the model are…

Examines the relationship between formal operational reasoning and two language variables--subordinate clauses and tentative statements. Supports Piaget's position of independence between linguistic and cognitive development, showing how subordinate clause use and tentative statement use are not related significantly to performances on reasoning…

Teachers must be apprised of the child's developmental stages in order to respond appropriately to their students. They must learn to place themselves in the world of the child and to value children's questions. (Author)

Sophomore and senior female students from traditional and progressive high schools were interviewed to determine stage of moral development (Kohlberg scale) and epistemological development (Perry scale). On both scales, progressive school seniors scored higher than traditional school seniors. Seniors' mean scores were significantly higher than…

Beilin examines the previous three papers. In explaining cognitive development, social learning theory fails to account for rule invariance in the face of capricious and informationally impoverished experience, does not explain the acquisition of abstract rule systems, and offers less flexibility than Piaget's explanations based on operations and…