Describes a computer-based method of confidence-testing, available in batch processing and interactive form, which improves a student's ability to assess probabilities during clinical diagnosis. The methods and results of three experiments are presented. (EAO)

Reviews the major tenets of the groupthink hypothesis of Irving Janis, as well as the research on which it is based. Reviews previous research on group dynamics related to groupthink. Proposes guidelines for research to test the propositions of groupthink. (Author/RC)

Outlines six activities for grades six through nine designed to illustrate the processes used by archaeologists. These processes include observation, comparison, classification, communication, use of numbers, and hypothesis formation. (AM)

According to Hypothesis (H) theory, learning should be very difficult when the number of Hs the subject samples from is very large and/or the correct H is not available. These assumptions were tested with third- and fourth-grade children. In general, results supported these assumptions. (Author/MP)

Describes the experimental methods used to verify two hypotheses concerning the variability of linguistic behavior at the social and individual levels, within a homogeneous community. Postulates correlations among data from the social/individual "external dimension" and the "internal dimension" which is based on structural properties such as…

A 1977 survey of retired United Auto Workers designed to measure retiree propensity to return to work found that work propensity is a generalized attitude and not job-specific. Measurement of associated variables indicated that most retirees held attitudes unfavorable to a return to work. (MF)

Critically assesses a 1979 book by Rutter et al. entitled "Fifteen Thousand Hours: Secondary Schools and Their Effects on Children." Argues that the Rutter study fails to provide scientific evidence which is relevant and capable of corroborating its major hypothesis: that there are significant differences between schools. (AN)

Three studies of elementary school children's problem-solving procedures in intentional discrimination tasks are reported. Subjects were children selected from kindergarten and grades 2, 3, and 6. (Author/MP)

It is shown that using formulae for the estimation of sampling errors based on simple random sampling, when a design actually involves cluster sampling, can lead to serious underestimation of error. Jackknife and balanced repeated replication are recommended as techniques for dealing with this problem. (Author/CTM)

A content analysis of responses to the "Circles" test, designed to elicit information about sex-typing, was developed on a pilot sample of 10- to 11-year-old school children. Argues that sex-typed response styles are modifiable psychological characteristics, and that investigations of individual differences in cognition need to emphasize styles,…

Examines the hypothesis that family origins will be of substantially greater import in determining the formation of aspirations than will ability and performance in Brazil. Presents data to evaluate the adequacy of the first stages of the Sewell and associates social psychological model of status attainment for Brazil. (Author/RK)

The single most critical problem in teacher education is the absence of any comprehensive fundamental model of pedagogy which is universally accepted as a point of extension for testing hypotheses, accumulating knowledge, and guiding practice. (MB)

Compared the results of the adult learning of English as a Foreign Language (EFL) using an inductive approach as opposed to a deductive one based on explicit contrastive analysis (CA) input. It is suggested that a deductive approach that uses CA input in EFL teaching and learning materials is more effective in minimizing error rates. (54…

Examines infants' sensitivity to word units in fluent speech by inserting one-second pauses either at boundaries between successive words or between syllables within words. Results indicate that, by 11 months, infants are sensitive to word boundaries, and that this sensitivity depends on more than prosodic information or prior knowledge. (65…

Explores several aspects of Spanish mood use within the single dialect area of the Texas-Mexico border that exhibits two slightly different varieties of Spanish. Findings reveal an overwhelming variability in mood use in every example studied on both sides of the border. Age does not play any role in mood selection for either group. Other findings…