The vocalizations of 51 infants were videorecorded and coded according to their communicative contexts. The distribution of communicative codes across seven major categories was found to be different for different age groups. Analysis indicated that vocal communication follows an orderly developmental sequence in normally developing infants in the…

Considers question of shifts in artistic and literary style from lifespan developmental perspective, focusing on change during midlife. Using Samuel Beckett as example, demonstrates relationship between his abrupt shift to playwriting and his entrance into midlife. Notes that theories of lifespan personality development suggest parallels between…

A theory of infant skill acquisition was supported by observations, over a six-week period, of the bouncing activity of eight infants while they were supported in a harness assembly. Observed three stages of activity: an initial assembly stage, when movement was irregular and variable in period; a tuning phase of more periodic movement; a final…

The study compared the understanding of one-to-one, stable order, and cardinal principles of 15 children with Down syndrome and 15 preschoolers with similar language skills. No significant differences were found suggesting that developmental level rather than syndrome is associated with counting behavior. (Author/DB)

This literature review produces six generalizations: (1) creative career trajectories differ; (2) productivity declines in differing degrees; (3) creative production varies across disciplines; (4) ratios of quality to quantity do not change with age; (5) individuals vary greatly in terms of creative potential; and (6) creative productivity often…

Examined group participant interpersonal style, group development stage, and endorsement of therapeutic factors. Classified critical incidents forms completed by 36 growth-group members. More affiliative participants emphasized cognitive factors; nonaffiliative participants emphasized behavioral factors. Universality and hope decreased and…

Reviews a central problem of Piagetian theory, that of necessary knowledge, or knowledge that must necessarily follow from previously accepted information. Discusses three implications of this problem for education: (1) assessment of children's judgments and justifications; (2) intellectual development over time and according to developmental…

Investigated the cognitive development of children with emotional and behavioral difficulties (EBDs). Found that children with EBDs showed a similar order of acquisition of conservation as normal children, and the thinking of children with EBDs was characterized by a high degree of uncertainty. (BC)

Discusses the issue of the use of nonfiction reading in the primary classroom. Looks at the way a group of children progress from asking questions, to knowing the facts, to becoming reasoning beings. Outlines the experiences of one teacher's attempt to help children take steps to discover information on pigs. (HB)

Finds that the subject's overall reading and spelling levels rose significantly but that the qualitative nature of the performance remained unchanged. Finds no evidence of mastery of the alphabetic "stage" of reading or spelling. Suggests that current reading models do not adequately account for individual variations in the acquisition…

Investigated relationship between developmental task achievement and commitment to and participation in three life roles: student, leisurite, and worker. Findings from 173 college students revealed that participation in roles of student and worker significantly predicted scores on Student Developmental Task and Lifestyle Inventory. (Author/NB)

Extends Loevinger's ego development theory, by presenting a specific application as an example, to elucidate how men perceive gender roles and their relationships with others. The implications for counseling are considered. Two clinical examples are included. (EMK)

Examined knowledge of mothers with children from 6 to 58 months regarding which item in play and language pairs was more advanced developmentally. Found that mothers' orderings matched those established in developmental literature and were stable over two weeks. Language knowledge was stronger than, and unrelated to, play knowledge. Accuracy was…

Explores how a developmental framework can be used in teaching college students learning strategies. Suggests that a developmental framework can add to educators' effectiveness in assessing students' needs and providing appropriate instruction, as well as in showing them how to help students acquire academic literacy and learning strategies that…

Unlike Japanese and European schools, U.S. public schools treat music as a nonserious, peripheral "activity" suitable for a few talented students. However, music education is as fundamental to the curriculum as math or reading. One study showed that high-school musicians achieved higher Scholastic Aptitude Test scores. (15 references)…