The primary purpose of this study was to determine empirically whether an individual's cognitive style differentially influences his hypothesizing behavior within a relatively simple information processing task. A characteristic of cognitive style explored is the manner in which an individual perceives and analyzes a stimulus configuration;…

This monograph contains the second section, operations at the variable level, of a report of studies done in Helsinki, Finland, describing school achievement in terms of ability, trait, situational, and background variables. The report (1) investigates the structure of school achievement, (2) describes school achievement in terms of selected…

This paper presents an integrative theoretical framework for the conceptualization of the marriage relationship in terms of Kelly's psychology of personal constructs. Personal construct theory offers a productive model which can account for research findings related to most of the variables found to be relevant to marital success. Personal…

Presented are data that support the suggestion that sixth-grade students can formulate empirically-based statements that are adequate, precise and can be tested. Scores from the Hypothesis Quality Scale (developed by investigator) constituted the criterion variable. Treatment for the experimental group consisted of practice in hypothesis formation…

The objective of this study was to adapt the ideas of "strong inference" in developing a design procedure which can be used in the evaluation of an instructional system in such a way as to identify and correct specific weaknesses within a system. This method allows the evaluator to consider many hypotheses as possible causes of system…

This monograph provides a revised list of research hypotheses and questions, a detailed review of psychological and operational definitions of over fifteen vocational contructs (including such ambiguous concepts as vocational stability and vocational satisfaction), and an overview of projected research procedures. In addition, a comprehensive set…

This study compared two different laboratory programs in a physical science course for nonscience majors. One program, Program X, centered around a continuing experiment where the students themselves attempted to function as a team of scientists. Program Y was a direct examination of scientists and their work by having the students study reports…

The Career Construct (CC) is a free-response instrument patterened after Kuhn's TST. It is introduced as a tool appropriate to the investigation of some symbolic interactionist questions focusing on the temproal and processual features of actor's courses of action. The main features of the CC are: (1) a free-response listing of 10 anticipated…

Research was conducted to investigate the phenomena associated with an individual's having perceived control or actual control over aversive stimuli. In all, 10 studies were conducted, 7 of which were directly relevant to investigating variables affecting perceived or actual control, and 3 being "spin-off" experiments. The seven studies…

This study arose out of a concern for the type of college science courses being offered to non-science majors. Of particular concern is the traditional method of laboratory instruction, with its emphasis on specific techniques and instrument manipulations rather than promoting an understanding of the processes, concepts, and methods of…

This study was designed to learn more about relationships between sex and the expressive and comprehensive language development of the kindergarten child. Thirty-four kindergarten children (17 males and 17 females) were given the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test (PPVT) and the Vocabulary Subtest of the Weschler Intelligence Scale for Children…

The author reports a recent study on humorous and non-humorous speeches on two topics: the meaning of totalitarianism and an explanation of the Whorf hypothesis. Student subjects listened to two recorded speeches--the humorous version of one speech and the non-humorous version of the other speech--and later responded to a multiple-choice test of…

This study attempts to investigate the nature of speech types and to arrive at hypotheses for a theory of rhetorical genres. The investigation tries inductively to answer the question: To what extent do recurrent rhetorical patterns suggest groupings of speeches on the basis of presuppositions philosophically shared between speakers and listeners?…

Since the medical interview is usually considered to be the basis of all diagnosis and treatment in medicine, this study investigated alternative ways of improving medical interview techniques. To test the hypothesis that the visual (videotape) technique would be more effective than the lecturing or audiotape technique, 12 videotaped interviews…

Six studies are summarized in which repeatable methods were tested in quasi-experimental settings to test hypotheses relating to a cognitive approach to counseling. In each study, a repeatable mode of counseling was developed, research counselors were trained to a high level of competence, their performance was validated by tape recordings,…