This document contains five symposium papers exploring sex differences in cognition. The first paper defines the purposes of the study, i.e., to examine which cognitive performance factors are related to sex differences, and to investigate possible biological, social, and psychological factors affecting developmental sex differences. The second…

The factor structure of an inventory of attitudes toward teaching before actual classroom experience and the changes in those attitudes following a semester of student teaching were investigated. A questionnaire designed to sample opinion about teaching and children was administered to 33 elementary education majors before and after student…

This paper will present evidence to support ontogenetic and phylogenetic parallels and draw from these comparisons to further illuminate our understanding of micro and macro human development. Individual and collective stages of physical, psychological and spiritual development will be compared and their homologous structures examined.…

Concepts drawn from Transactional Analysis concerning memory, association, and related components of learning theory are discussed. Ego States (Child, Parent, Adult) are described, along with the patterns and responses characteristic of each state. (PP)

Describes a study to extend research of Piaget and Jahoda into children's spatial conceptions. Individual testing and interviewing are discussed. Results indicate differences in rate of spatial stages development of Swiss, Scottish and American children, although Piagets' original theorized stages remain invariate. (Author/AV)

The potential interface between human development theories and intergenerational programing is explored. Erik Erikson's division of adult development into young, middle, and later adulthood, and Butler and Lewis'"characteristics of older people," are considered. Older people can offer help and encouragement to youth while themselves…

Explores developmental issues regarding domain theory, a theory explaining moral development. Concludes that this theory does not explain how domains of moral reasoning and behavior evolve, neglects social and historical aspects of domain development, and does not recognize the effects of individual differences on domains. (JW)

The functions of solitary media use in the daily emotional lives of adolescents are discussed, suggesting that solitary television watching and music listening give adolescents an opportunity to explore and cultivate a newly discovered private self. Solitary media experiences provide an important context for dealing with stress and negative…

Analyzed young, middle-aged, and old adults' ratings of person-descriptive attributes with respect to developmental change throughout adulthood for themselves and other people. Also assessed aspects of subjective identification with age groups. Findings suggested three modes of social comparison: self-assessment, self-enhancement involving…

Reports three studies which (1) investigated children's and adults' concepts of development (COD); (2) observed parents' tutoring their fifth-grade children; and (3) interviewed adults in three age groups about parenting dilemmas. In each study, COD scores were obtained. Results of all studies showed that subjects' stage of COD reasoning was…

Used latent transition analysis (LTA), methodology for testing stage-sequential models of individual growth, to compare fit of 2 models of substance use onset and to assess effects of prevention program on 2,009 early adolescents. Found that substance use onset model including alcohol and tobacco use as starting points fit better than model that…

Explores the notion of imaginative development. Defines imagination through a review of literature of music, religion, and aesthetics. Suggests that imagination precedes creativity and involves perception, intuition, thinking, and feeling. Describes a developmental sequence based on research. Proposes ways to cultivate imagination through music.…

As primary agents involved in reform and innovation in preparation programs, teacher educators require ongoing evaluation of the impacts of change. This paper reports a study to determine preservice teachers' concerns as they progressed through a traditional teacher preparation program and changes in their concerns that may have been attributed to…

Designed to develop creativity in young learners, this book contains interdisciplinary activities which focus on the theme of space (inner and outer). Activity pages are provided that can serve as front and back covers of a student booklet and the suggested activities can be duplicated for insertion between the covers resulting in a booklet for…

The starting point for curriculum planning for second language instruction is the learner, and a curriculum can claim to be learner-centered only if key factors about the learner are made the basis for curriculum design at all stages in the planning and development of learning activities and materials and in the sequencing of learning experiences.…