Popular culture now considers marijuana harmless, but research shows it has definite physiological and neurological effects, effacing memory and attention and producing cell damage and learning deficits. Young people turn to pot to escape the emotional pressures of adolescence. Parents and schools can help adolescents by setting firm prohibitions.…

Refutes six common misconceptions about Piaget's theories, including their educational implications; Piaget's position on heredity v environment; and the relationships between developmental stages, age, and brain growth spurts. Condensed from "Impact on Instructional Improvement", Winter 1981, p7-11. (SJL)

Results of a survey of directors of school psychology programs support the notion that training in neuropsychological screening and assessment techniques is appropriate in the preparation of specialists in the area of school psychology. (Author)

Small systems of neurons are discussed as they relate to studies of simple animals and the generating of behavior from interacting systems. (SA)

The chemical dimension of the function of the brain is discussed in this article. The chemical transmitters or substances are related to the excitatory or inhibitory influence on neurons. (Author/SA)

The review examines issues and research relating to the involvement of the central nervous system in reading disorders. Questions regarding subtypes, pre- and perinatal influences, genetics, sex differences, and early identification are briefly surveyed along with a summary of major research findings in neuropsychology and neurology. (Author)

"Psychologists in the People's Republic of China are engaged in research concerning theory, Chinese language, child development, vision, audition, and areas of physiological psychology including acupuncture, pain, memory, and central nervous system functioning. The Institute of Psychology within the Chinese Academy of Sciences represents the…

Describes the Extended Attention Span Training (EAST) system for modifying attention deficits, which takes the concept of biofeedback one step further by making a video game more difficult as the player's brain waves indicate that attention is waning. Notes contributions of this technology to neuropsychology and neurology, where the emphasis is on…

This article discusses the contributions of Margaret Byrd Rawson in the field of dyslexia. She was instrumental in the founding of the Jemicy School in Maryland, served as President of the International Dyslexia Association (IDA), and was on the IDA Council of Advisors at the time of her death. (CR)

Described is the discovery that oscillations of electric potential at 40 hertz hold the key to how the brain assembles sense impressions into a single object. Potential implications from this research are discussed. (CW)

The article reviews issues of diagnosis and treatment of children with HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) infection. A spectrum of clinical signs is correlated with serological results. The intense central nervous system involvement typically present in childhood cases is examined. (DB)

Discussed are the neurological aspects of human immunodeficiency virus, its clinical course, prevalence, distribution, risk factors, and outlook for the future. Also discussed are the educational implications of dealing with Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome and the possible educational needs should these brain-damaged children be healthy enough…

Describes a demonstration that illustrates the use of behavioral tests of reaction time to infer unobservable physiological mechanisms. Appropriate for use in large introductory psychology classes, students participate in a behavioral experiment that tests a physiological hypothesis. Discusses variations of the experiment and advantages of its…

The study investigated two neurophysiologic components of event-related brain potential during auditory and visual target detection tasks with 11 non-retarded autistic children, 9 retarded autistic children, and 16 normal subjects, aged 15-19. Results were consistent with the hypothesis that non-retarded autism involves abnormal attentional and…

Simultaneous 3- channel recorded auditory brainstem responses (ABR) were obtained from 20 neonates with various high-pass filter settings and low intensity levels. Results support the advocacy of less restrictive high-pass filtering for neonatal and infant ABR screening to air-conducted and bone-conducted clicks. (Author/JDD)