This study, using multivariate analysis and operationalized variables, examined possible risk factors for childhood sexual abuse (CSA) in 3,958 Australian women. The variables significantly associated with CSA were physical abuse, having a mother who was mentally ill, not having someone to confide in, and being socially isolated. Different…

Reports a study of 5- to 12-year-old children and adults regarding the role of perceptual motor factors in copying an equilateral four-sided "square" or "diamond" figure under five conditions. Developmental trends were found for copying both figures; the diamond was less well performed than the square at all ages tested.…

Cognitive development proceeds through a series of four levels. The first is the single-class level, attained by infants at approximately 1 year of age. At the single-class level, concepts are based on element similarity or convention (for example, images and words for common objects). The second level is the relational level, attained by toddlers…

This study concerns the selection of mathematically talented students at the beginning of secondary school in Australia, using a version of the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT). Age and sex differences were found. Younger and older students responded to SAT items in qualitatively different ways. (MNS)

Confirmed the hypothesis that happiness leads to self-indulgence when children have no reason to believe that excessive self-gratification is morally wrong but that happiness promotes self-denial when children fear that excessive self-gratification violates a moral rule. Results with 112 White, middle-class, Australian children ages four to five…

Replicates the Asch conformity experiment (two participants pretend to misjudge a shorter line for a longer one in an attempt to influence a third participant) and applies it to 110 school children ages 3 to 17. Indicates that conformity decreases with age in perceptually ambiguous tasks. (MJP)

Examines the musical compositions of Australian children ages seven and nine years to discover the nature of their melodic and rhythmic representations. Finds that older children created more compositions of higher stages of complexity. Reports that girls produced a greater percentage of compositions assigned to the highest stages. (CFR)

Examines level of commitment to an ecological world view and sociodemographic bases for that commitment among Australians. Describes an ecological world view scale. Reports little attitudinal difference between students and others, but finds females more ecologically minded and less confident in science and technology than males are. Concludes…

Measures of both preferred and actual classroom and school environment were administered to 1,675 secondary school students in New South Wales (Australia). Shortened versions of the My Class Inventory, Classroom Environment Scale, and Individualized Classroom Environment Questionnaire, as well as the Quality of School Life questionnaire were…