Examined the effect of stimulus content on logical performance in a reasoning task. Earlier reports of the facilitating effect of thematic material on the tendency to reason logically were not supported, nor were previous reports that matching is the most common determinant of behavior. (Author)

Three experiments compared reasoning from new information in young and older adults. The findings suggest at least two sources for age-related differences in reasoning from new information: poorer fact memory and reduced capacity in working memory. (Author/PN)

The question of whether skills in achieving understanding and retention of information at high levels of abstraction can be taught is addressed by analyzing some of the mental processes involved, and briefly reviewing a number of attempts that have been made to induce these processes. (Author)

Many science curriculum development projects have the goal of increasing students' ability to employ scientific or formal reasoning strategies. Argues that longitudinal data of students who acquired formal reasoning strategies as a consequence of specific instruction are needed to provide evidence that these skills will help in other academic…

Students (N=178) judged the adequacy of reasons presented in stage prototypic responses to moral dilemmas to provide a profile of the frequency and strength with which students rejected early stage reasons. Data indicated definite age trends in rejecting lower-stage reasoning. Higher-stage items produced no significant age differences. (RC)

The aims of this study were (1) to test the dyadic superiority hypothesis by comparing dyadic performance on a logical reasoning task with the performance of children working alone, and (2) to determine whether the incorrect child's compliance with the correct child was a major factor in the dyadic production of correct answers. (Author/DB)

The article describes a study to determine how instruction on the distinction between two theoretical ideas will affect the intake, interpretation, and recall of new information related to but different from the first. (Author/SB)

Even among individuals operating at Piaget's highest cognitive level (Formal Operations Stage) there is a range of behaviors on important cognitive characteristics. Various substages and their performance criteria are suggested. (JD)

Three task context factors that form obstacles to generalizing logical reasoning strategies for adolescents are discussed. The relationship between these obstacle factors and Piagetian theory is explored. Findings suggest that it is possible to make some predictions about how and when logical mechanisms will be generalized to new situations.…

Presents a theoretical model that attempts to lessen the fragmentation of skill instruction in social studies. The model uses reasoning as a goal toward which social studies instruction can move. Curriculum implications relative to skill coordination are discussed. (Author/DB)

The two groups were not significantly different on tests of lipreading and reception of signed English, but the hearing Ss were superior on tests of nonverbal reasoning and perceptual speed. Hearing Ss were greatly superior on a test of verbal reasoning. (Author/DLS)

Reports three experiments to investigate differences in the semantic classification of pictures and words. The data suggest that visual short-term memory and semantic memory operate in semantic-decision tasks though these sources of information differ in characteristics, potential for activation, and level of abstraction. (PMJ)

Reviews various definitions of the concept of distance and suggests that basic notions regarding distance require directed learning. Identifies challenges regarding relative distance for geography researchers and teachers. (Author/DB)

Analyzes the meaning of Piaget's concept of abstraction and provides discussion of some of its shortcomings. (HM)

Using recognition tests with new and old exemplars (multiple-component characters) and prototypes (common components), the traditional language learning technique of paired-associate training with exemplars of Chinese characters and specific English translations led to the poorest performance of the three methods tested. Learning either exemplars…