To resolve tension between general stages and conceptual specificity in neo-Piagetian theory, R. Case introduced the idea of central conceptual structures. To resolve difficulties of separating developmental level and conceptual diversity, this article reconceptualizes central conceptual structures as self-organizing systems that stabilize in…

Comments on Lewis's ideas about reconciling stage and specificity in neo-Piagetian theory in this issue. Summarizes R. Case's central conceptual structure and its relation to other neo-Piagetian theories. Notes similarities between Lewis and Piaget, suggesting that differences adhere to a limited number of general laws instead of being…

The views of Piaget, Ausubel, and Bruner have been used to present an integrated view of biology lesson construction and to assist teachers in the design and development of tools and strategies to improve their teaching. The structure of an integrated model for biology lesson construction and an example of a biolesson using the metaparadigmatic…

Waskom's paradigm of human development is based on natural design and mathematical proportion. Its properties encompass purposes of life and learning, natural sense urges and personality traits, characteristics of natural stages of human life, and parenting, teaching, and community support. (SK)

In three experiments, four and six year olds and adults were examined to determine whether children were more likely than adults to confuse memories from different sources when the sources were highly similar. Findings indicated that children may be especially vulnerable to the effects of source similarity. (SH)

Formal operational ability and interpersonal understanding, possible predictors of adolescent egocentrism, were studied in 87 adolescents from 4 age groups--preadolescents, ages 11-12; young adolescents, ages 13-14; adolescents, ages 16-17; young adults, ages 18-21. Interpersonal understanding level did predict egocentrism as measured by a…

Discusses the four "planes of development" posited by Maria Montessori: (1) from birth to age 6; (2) from age 6 to 12; (3) from age 12 to 18; and (4) full maturity. Although Montessori schools have been successful in dealing with children during the first two planes, efforts need to be focused on adolescents at the third stage. (MDM)

Differences between developmentally appropriate and traditional classroom practice include the following: integrated vs. separate curriculum, meaning-driven vs. skill-driven, incidental vs. explicit learning, heterogeneous vs. homogeneous grouping, ready now vs. getting ready, child-centered vs. teacher-directed, autonomy vs. heteronomy, previous…

Considers awareness, form, and use of notation by normally achieving and school-identified learning-disabled first-grade students. Finds that young normally achieving children spontaneously recorded and organized information, whereas learning-disabled children were more tentative in the use of notation. Suggests that the performance of…

Using a dynamic systems approach, examined the development of intralimb coordination over the first year of independent walking in three infants. Found that, in the first month of walking, there was much instability between the thigh and shank of the leg, but after three months infants appeared to have found an adult-like stable coordinative…

Offers a description by a first-grade teacher of changes in the literacy attitudes and abilities of two boys at risk for school failures prior to successful literacy experiences in her classroom. (SR)

Children and adults were interviewed about moral judgment twice during a two-year interval. Results indicated that stage transition in moral reasoning was predicted by more reasoning above than below a modal stage. Results also indicated that individuals progressed through a cyclical pattern of stage transitions. (BC)

Seven stages in the development of faith are examined from a constructivist-developmental approach. A table depicts structural aspects of faith development by stage. (BB)

Presents an annotated bibliography on religious development that covers the areas of psychology and religion, measurement of religiousness, religious development during the life cycle, religious experiences, conversion, religion and morality, and images of God. (Author/BB)

Proposes a perspective for understanding the development of adolescent sexual intimacy. Describes a "transitional stage" in which adolescents, driven by developmental needs, experiment with sexual behaviors, and which results in the ability to achieve "relational" sexual intimacy when completed. Discusses problems and implications for counseling…