Ascertained influence of an intervention in development of operational seriation/transitivity in kindergarten/first-grade children (N=60) who initially failed to demonstrate ability to do seriation/transitivity problems. Seriation of size was also studied. Results, interpreted in context of Piaget's equilibrium theory, indicated advancement toward…

Suggests that adolescence is a cultural creation rather than a physical, developmental period. The relationship between the cultural definition of adolescence and the psychological concept of adolescence is seen as cyclical and interrelated. This type of relationship results in a unique problem for research into psychological aspects of…

Surveyed 186 college students to determine their views of the key indicators of having left home. Data suggested that the most important indicator of parent-adolescent separation was establishing more personal control. Economic independence and other modes of home leaving were rated similarly by males and females. (JAC)

Uses Erikson's five stages of psychosocial development to examine the socialization of athletes. Because athletic ability is so heavily rewarded by adults and peers, athletes may prematurely commit themselves to unrealistic objectives and aspirations. Concerned counselors can help athletes define realistic educational and career goals. (JAC)

Depending on age and the demands of the task, people may use different processing strategies in object categorization. Three-year-olds used a wholistic approach with strong effects of object typicality on three categorization tasks. Older children and adults showed differential effects of typicality, suggesting various strategies including…

Examines the role of nontext social knowledge on elementary school children and college students' understanding of protagonist-antagonist stories, noting some developmental changes in the understanding of these stories based on knowledge of persuasion. (FL)

Jean Piaget's belief that children's developmental levels largely determine what they can learn is challenged. Research concerning the existence of cognitive structures in children is critiqued, and problems with administering Piagetian tasks are pointed out. Educators should not restrict children's exposure to learning because, according to…

Illustrates advantages of research on practical factors in reasoning. Discusses role of factual knowledge and diagnosis of specific task-based errors in reasoning, influence of individual aptitudes on reasoning, and effect of educational interventions designed to change reasoning. Presents Piagetian position for each position, discusses evidence…

Studies two determinants of male puberty rites: communitywide exclusive male work groups and polygyny which act as an extension of male subculture; and sexual integration in the division of labor and distant father-child relationship which act to reduce the distance between the sexes. (Author/RC)

Reports development and validation of a semantic differential type instrument for measuring students' attitudes toward school subjects. The instrument is comprised of 24 bipolar work pairs with three factors or dimensions: evaluation, usefulness, and difficulty. Reliabilities on various dimensions of various subjects and grade levels range from…

The relationship of research in cognitive-developmental psychology to moral discussion is examined, particularly the controversial "+1" convention which asserts that successful moral discussion requires a group leader who presents moral reasoning one stage above that of the participants. Recommendations for classroom moral discussions…

Delineates the various dimensions of disengagement that have been suggested in the gerontological literature and tests hypotheses derived from three competing theoretical perspectives of aging: role, activity, and disengagement. None of the theoretical models successfully explained the relationships analyzed using a sample of rural elderly…

Defines and describes the concept of social cognition and its relationship to various psychological positions. Outlines Selman's stage theory of social cognition and the influence of Piaget's theory. Issues of interpersonal understanding are related to concepts of the individual, friendship, peer group and parent-child relations. (JAC)

Evaluated is the Longeot test, a paper and pencil test designed to measure various aspects of formal and concrete operational thought. Information from over 500 subjects (ages 17 to 20) indicated the test to be reliable and classifications from it correlated with classifications mode using Piagetian tasks. (DS)

Asks whether our understanding of problems posed for education in the later years can be aided by current developments in educational thought in the Third World. Suggests ways in which education in the later years can be given the recognition it deserves. (Author/JAC)