Validated models of mental addition processing by testing children and adults in a production task paradigm. Examined individual-difference relations between strategy choice parameters and criterion-related measures of ability. Found that individual differences in the apparently calculative processes that underlie numerical facility are highly…

Draws on data from a larger study of California schools to examine how the different individual orientations that 130 innovative and 118 traditional teachers have toward assessment interact within the school and district contexts to shape assessment attitudes and practices. Perceptions of innovators and traditionalists differ regardless of school…

Two components of life orientation emerged in study of 145 men and 142 women at age 26: Positive Orientation (PO), which included self-percepts of personal control over development; and Motivated Questioning (MQ), which consisted of identity exploration and dissatisfaction with present achievements. In comparison with MQ, PO was more strongly…

Focuses on some of the foundation texts of adult literacy teaching (ALT) and examines how the declared principles of ALT relate to the contemporary policy context within which ALT is located. Topics covered include the learner as an individual whose needs should determine the curriculum; the student-teacher power relationship; and student rights.…

Thirty-two preadolescents were observed in a longitudinal study of attachment and subsequent social development, and case studies of four friendship pairs were conducted. Findings suggest a process model of friendship formation based on repetition of infant attachment history in establishing children's preadolescent friendships. Proposes a 3-stage…

This brief article responds to a previous article on guidelines developed by professional associations for developmentally appropriate early childhood special education practices. The importance of individualization in the application of practices is emphasized, and sample criteria are offered for evaluating the practices. (DB)

Norwegian 6th graders (n=107) either were taught a mnemonic imagery to apply to passages they read or were given no strategy. Mnemonic-imagery students remembered more information. Individual differences in short-term memory and verbal and visual competence did not predict performance in the imagery condition. (SLD)

Data from the 1980 Public Use Microdata Sample D for 16- to 18-year-old youths living with their parents are used to construct a model of youth labor force participation, incorporating household, local economic, and individual variables. Findings suggest the significant effects of household structural characteristics and family resources. (SLD)

A total of 50 children were observed at home at 33 months of age and then tested at 40 months on affective labeling, perspective taking, and false belief tasks. Individual differences at 40 months were associated with family discourse about feelings and causality at 33 months, verbal fluency of mother and child, and sibling cooperation. (BC)

Observed kindergartners and first graders playing in dyads. Children who were frequent pretenders had more predictable behavior pathways to and fewer exits from social pretend play (BSP) than children who were infrequent pretenders. Children's social interaction increased in complexity sooner after the onset of BSP than of nonpretend social…

Japanese and U.S. mothers of three- to six-year-old children answered questionnaires about child-rearing practices. U.S. mothers expected their children to follow more rules than did Japanese mothers. Japanese mothers were more likely than U.S. mothers to use physical punishment when their children showed disrespect for authority. (BC)

To shift educational research's focus from the rigorous study of individuals to whole learning environments, a systemic view of the classroom is proposed, with a list of seven generic components of the classroom environment. L. Guttman's Small Space Analysis is used, and a science teaching project illustrates the discussion. (SLD)

Two experiments involving 227 children aged 5 to 18 years suggest that working memory operates as a general system independent of the subject's reading skill and that dynamic testing procedures enhance predictions of reading performance. Individual differences in working memory do not appear restricted to an academic domain. (SLD)

Describes an African-American parent's efforts to ensure that her daughter be treated fairly in a second grade classroom. Because some teachers mistakenly believe that African-American children are not capable of performing well in the classroom, these teachers may inadvertently convey lower expectations and damage African-American students'…

Discusses research concerning individual differences in children that appear to be associated with vicarious emotional responses and a tendency to engage in prosocial behavior. Focuses on research concerning parents' influence on children's methods for coping with their own and others' emotions and children's social behavior. (BB)