Reports on an experiment where novice and expert programmers made decisions about Fortran code segments. The results show that, although expert programmers are better able to extract and use functional information, they don't differ significantly from novices in their ability to use syntactic concepts. (Author/EM)

The status of mathematics instruction, especially in the elementary school, is discussed. A meaningful, holistic approach is advocated, rather than an emphasis on rules and procedures. (MNS)

It is proposed that many phenomena of human hypothesis testing can be understood in terms of a general positive test strategy. With this strategy, there is a tendency to test cases that are expected to have the property of interest rather than those expected to lack that property. (Author/LMO)

The author responds to reviews by Kai Nielsen and Murdith McLean on his article "Indoctrination and Religious Education."

The hypothesis testing model is the most dominant model of adult concept learning. Based on task performance, subjects in the experiment were categorized into three levels of concept attainment. Results suggested the hypothesis testing model adequately reflected the performance of only the most successful subjects. (Author/DWH)

The paper reviews limitations in social skills research with mentally retarded persons, noting problems in conceptual development, validation of social skills objectives, and generalization. The most serious limitation identified is the failure to demonstrate that community integration and adjustment can be enhanced through training. (CL)

Examines children's conceptions of parental authority. A total of 120 children were interviewed and asked to evaluate social events (stealing, family chores, friendship choice) pertaining to restraint of behavior and maintenance of parental rule systems. Results suggest that children's notions of authority are heterogeneous with respect to the…

Proposes the hypothesis that preschoolers have number concepts based on the numbers 1-5 rather than on the decimal structure. Results suggest that children understand numbers to 5 as a privileged anchor. Proposes a new model for a representational system of numbers. (Author/DR)

Discusses the constructivist view of learning which emphasizes, among others, learning outcomes which depend not only on the learning environment but also on the knowledge of the learner. Implications for science instruction are also addressed. (JN)

Three experiments were designed to test preschool, first, and second graders' understanding of the term "word." A modified aural discrimination task required children to discriminate word from nonword stimuli. Results indicated that children's word concepts have been underestimated. (Author/BS)

To focus on the importance of concept development and metacognitive processes to the act of writing, curricular changes must be made, including shifting the emphasis from mechanics to content and meaning. Six suggestions are offered for improving the quality and quantity of the written product of learning disabled students. (CL)

Provides suggestions for using children's names in activities associated with language arts, concept formation, self-concept, and understanding other adults and children. (RH)

Acquisition of sentient-nonsentient distinction in 48 children between four- and seven-years-of-age occurred later than animate-inanimate distinction. The children's use of naturalistic or nonnaturalistic explanations depended on the logical nature of events in which objects were involved rather than familiarity with objects themselves. Ability to…

Assessed 17 deaf children and a matched group of 17 nonhearing impaired children to compare rate of basic concept development. Results indicate that deaf children scored approximately two standard deviations below their matched nonhearing impaired peers and exhibited a relatively flat subtest profile. (Author/ABB)

Sexuality educators participated in a study designed to operationalize the concept of sexuality comfort. This definition has immediate practical applications for prospective sexuality educator preparation programs. Results of the study are presented. (Author/DF)