Examined whether gender differences exist within cognitive stages and whether gender differences exist at the cognitive stage level in college freshmen (n=86). Longitudinal study found students' epistemological development revealed gender differences in epistemological reasoning structures but not in cognitive structural stages. (Author/ABL)

This summary chapter organizes recommendations from the first eight chapters of this journal issue into a framework that helps faculty understand and incorporate students' meaning-making into the learning process. Longitudinal data on young adults' learning and development are used to integrate multiple dimensions of development. (Author/DB)

The Measure of Epistemological Reflection was revised to reflect a constructivist view of epistemological development that emerged from a longitudinal study of young adults' development. This article includes a description of the new constructivist interpretation process, how it is used, and criteria upon which to judge its value. (Contains 44…

Data were analyzed from the postcollege phase of a 7-year longitudinal study of college students' (n=101) epistemological development. The data revealed that the gender-related patterns of relational and impersonal knowing that these students demonstrated during college were integrated into postcollege experience in work, education, and personal…

A study with 101 college freshmen indicates that freshman experience promotes increasing intellectual complexity for both sexes, but more for males than females. Analysis of student expectations and perceptions of environments shows subtle differences that may account for differential growth, suggesting some approaches to creating equitable…

This book articulates an integrated conceptualization of theory, assessment, application, and evaluation through the study of assessment and its role in linking theory and practice. Part 1 of the book contains six chapters which address the conceptualization of these four components, the potential for integrating them in the context of…

Constructive-developmentalism is a theory of learning that incorporates two major concepts: (1) that students construct knowledge by organizing and making meaning of their experiences, and (2) that this construction takes place in the context of students' assumptions about and creation of knowledge. A gap often exists between instructor and…

Yearly interviews investigated 101 college students' perceptions of their experiences throughout the 4 years of college as they related to 3 different epistemologies ranging from unquestioned acceptance of knowledge to self-authored knowledge and to gender differences within these epistemologies. Results suggest teaching strategies and evaluation…

This book presents the findings of a longitudinal study of 101 college students and the development of their ways of knowing over a 5-year period, focusing particularly on the role of gender in intellectual development. Part 1, "Understanding Gender-Related Patterns of Knowing," introduces different ways of knowing. Chapter 1 reviews the…

A study investigated graduate and professional educational experiences that promote contextual knowing. Seventy students described these experiences as opportunities to struggle with ideas and formulate their own opinions, connect their beliefs to their own lives, use experiences in the learning process, engage in learning as equal partners with…

A longitudinal study of 101 college students investigated the ways in which their college and postcollege experiences fostered development of complexity in their assumptions about knowledge, by emphasizing independent functioning, collaboration, direct involvement in learning, and subjective decisionmaking. Results suggest these experiences be…