Reviews the current theories concerning individual differences in cognitive functioning. While some argue that heredity places a genetic cap on intellectual development, others emphasize the dynamic interrelationship between cultural and environmental factors. Concludes that intelligence is more complex than the heredity advocates allow. (MJP)

Investigates the differential effects of computer conferencing on expository writing for students of seven intelligence types. Students were assigned to treatment groups that provided controlled exposure to a topic: unstructured exposure; computer conferencing; face-to-face discussion; and computer conferencing and face-to-face discussion.…

A study of very low birth weight babies with (n=89) and without (n=71) bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) and term controls was conducted at age 8. The BPD group demonstrated reduced articulation, receptive language skills, performance IQ, and gross and fine motor skills, and almost half were enrolled in speech-language therapy. (Contains…

Suggests that Dunn's genetic explanation for low Hispanic academic achievement is flawed, racist, and scientifically unfounded. Reviews historical efforts to suppress foreign language use and instruction in the United States. Calls for a reexamination of the implications of IQ test results in light of socioeconomic and cultural differences.…

Reviews criticism of Dunn's monograph on Hispanic-Anglo differences in IQ scores. Discusses the heritability and malleability of IQ, the reciprocal relationship between achievement and intelligence, negative effects of schooling for some caste-like minorities, and superior cognitive skills among balanced bilingual students. Contains 19 references.…

Major visuospatial and verbal abilities were assessed for 197 10-year-olds in Hong Kong and 170 10-year-olds in the United Kingdom. The Hong Kong subjects resembled their Japanese counterparts in having high Searman's "g," exhibiting abstract reasoning ability, high spatial ability, high perceptual speed, and low word fluency. (SLD)

The scientific concept of intelligence has been heavily influenced by the technology of measurement. The variables which can be measured have been made the operational definition of intelligence. This approach differs from a deductive approach, in which a theory of cognition in general is used to derive the sorts of measurements that must be taken…

Most of the chapters in this book grew out of the Conference on the Academic Performance of Minority Children held at Cornell University in 1982. Six hypotheses about minority school achievement are presented. After a general introduction by Ulric Neisser, John Ogbu describes the effects of caste and argues that black school children are preparing…

Results of an experimental study in India comparing two alternative procedures for teaching the set English text for class IX are examined against the background of the general mental ability, verbal reasoning ability, numerical reasoning ability, and general intelligence of the pupils. Other variables considered in the analysis are sex, age, and…

This study investigated learning through listening at rates ranging from 78 to 428 words per minute (wpm). The sample consisted of 117 elementary school children, from two levels of intelligence. Immediate and one-week retention data were gathered on each subject. Results of the study indicate that listening rates of 228 and 278 wpm are more…

This paper reports a study of conformity reactions of white and black children to the unanimous and incorrect judgment of children from either their own or other ethnic groups. Experimental groups comprised four subjects of the same sex and grade level. Groups representing all Negro were used; all variables were completely crossed. The subjects…

A synthesis of literature on the Mexican Americans of Texas and the Southwest provides an overview of the general research findings. The volume is intended as a resource for teachers and others who work with Mexican American children. Part 1 is a concise history of the population. Part II presents a synthesis of current literature on the social…

To investigate the interrelationships between creativity and seven variables, 74 students in grades 4 through 8 plus the vocational group at a school for the deaf were tested. In addition to creativity, subjects were tested for intelligence, academic achievement, imaginative productions, perception by teachers, self-evaluation career aspirations,…

Problem solving flexibility (PSF), an ability commonly assessed in creativity batteries, was studied in a sample of middle class children (grades 1 through 3, average IQ 114), tested on questions resembling Guilford's consequences procedure. An hypothesis linking PSF with alertness to and interest in the environment was generally supported, more…

More and more minority children are making higher test scores, generally, due to a variety of factors. The high IQ minority child, therefore, might be better understood than previously. Most data in this area has been collected on black children and youth although other cultural groups in America are now being studied more closely. These include…