Interview data exemplify students' attempts to integrate the concepts of electrochemistry with related knowledge that they had previously constructed or acquired in other classes. The implications for minimizing potential misconceptions center on the difficulties students experience when using more than one model for explaining scientific…

Clarifies the meaning of writing across the curriculum and writing to learn mathematics, and describes formal and informal approaches for incorporating writing into the mathematics classroom. Concludes that writing in mathematics can identify math anxious students and help discover students' misconceptions. (11 references) (MDH)

The testing of a formal causal model of thinking about motion is described using a matching-pairs paper-and-pencil task. Subjects were asked to distinguish between examples of stereotypical motions by the similarity or difference of causes of pairs of motions. The results suggest that responses can be predicted by the model with the addition of an…

Presents a study of the role of sociocognitive conflict theory in cognitive growth. Analyzes whether five- to seven-year-old student dyads can solve a conservation of length task when presented with contradictory solutions or whether they require the correct answer. Concludes that conflict does not result in appropriate learning. (SG)

This study tested the predictions of Fischer's skill theory for Kitchener and King's reflective judgment model. A total of 156 14- to 28-year-old students were tested, utilizing the Reflective Judgement Interview (RJI) and Prototypic Reflective Judgement Interview (PRJI). Subjects scored higher on the PRJI than they did on the RJI. There was a…

This response to Norman Bray (EC 609 160) analyzes the methodology and findings of the original study and concludes that studies of strategy production must look at not only the mentally retarded child's cognitive capacities in problem solving but also the social and contextual conditions that affect the child's representation and use of…

The ability of 10 9-month-old infants with Down's syndrome to acquire a simple contingency was assessed. Unlike a group of nondisabled infants, the Down's syndrome infants did not, in general, learn the contingency. Results are related to the possibility of a decline in conditionability with age and a relationship between conditionability and…

A former editor of this journal, 1967-69, selects an outstanding article from her tenure for its significance as the beginning of important studies in mathematics learning in young children. The article selected presents a modified technique for assessing a young child's acquisition of length conservation while eliminating or reducing the…

Children's scores on the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test were influenced by mothers' schooling, grandparents' schooling, and family size. Increases in mothers' working hours negatively affected children's achievement. Welfare dependence reduced test scores, largely due to transmission of an underclass heritage of low achievement. (Author/SK)

Argues for the compatibility of various elements of cognitive therapy and systems therapy. These compatible elements can be combined so as to enhance the effectiveness and outcome of a counseling session. Focuses on how mental health counselors can operate from a cognitive-systems approach when working with clients. (RJM)

Comments on revision of Piagetian theory of reciprocity in forgiveness by Enright (PS 522 365) in this issue. Reviews relationship of Enright theory to previous research. Suggests that forgiveness may require moral insights in addition to reciprocity, but reciprocity appears central to children's and adults' understanding of forgiveness. Provides…

Argues that teachers should encourage critical thinking among primary school students. Asserts that readiness exercises can help students develop the mental reasoning skills necessary for critical thinking. Suggests (1) posing questions that elicit reflective responses; (2) encouraging students to ask questions to obtain information; and (3)…

An overview that gives an introduction to the theories, terms, concepts, and prior research conducted on visualization is presented. This information is to be used as a basis for developing spatial research studies that lend support to the theory that the engineering and technical design graphics curriculum is important in the development of…

Experiences with an instructional strategy which enabled students to build for themselves the appropriate scientific concept for energy are described. This was done by pupil/teacher dialogue in small groups, in which students were expected to create for themselves a "generalization mechanism" based on their own frameworks. (KR)

Students' conceptions of models and how models function in science were assessed by administering a clinical interview about models to a group of mixed-ability seventh and honors eleventh grade students. Students' preconceptions about models, themes that appeared regularly during interviews, differences of themes between the two groups, and the…