This study investigated the relationships among mathematics achievement scores of first graders, the order of presentation of difficult topics, the use of readiness activities, and scores on a conservation test. The study was developed and conducted in four phases. Phase 1 included analysis of 70 randomly selected first-graders' work on the…

One hundred and sixty first grade boys and girls of normal intelligence were tested for ability to conserve multiple space relations. The criterion task apparatus was a wooden T with a model of schoolhouse attached and centered above the point of contact of the horizontal and vertical axis. The T had a track running the length of both its axes…

This study was concerned with children's ability to conserve spatial relationships among objects in different arrangements, in the presence of projected changes in the observer's visual field. The objectives were: (1) to determine the effects of varying types of arrangement and number of objects in the arrangement on perspective ability…

In a study conducted at the University of Alberta, an attempt was made to use Piagetian-type observations as an assessment of intellectual capacities and to determine whether learning a second language at an early age has beneficial or detrimental effects on cognitive functioning. For this purpose an 18-question test dealing with conservation…

To investigate the efficacy of a training procedure designed to facilitate the attainment of the mathematical concept of number conservation, 43 children from grades 1 and 2 were tested for their ability to conserve. Some of the pupils were found to be nonconservers; some, transitional conservers; and some, conservers. Pupils of the first two…

The use of equivalent-age children as tutors was investigated, and the cognitive changes of these tutors was examined. All first and second grade boys at two elementary schools were administered a pretest, and all those in a transitional stage of development between non-conservation and conservation of substance were selected for inclusion in the…

Nursery school children (N=64) received seven tests of conservation of number which varied in the type and number of perceptual supports for conservation. Most of the tests with these supports facilitated performance in comparison to the standard conservation test. Conservation appeared earlier than usual. There were significant effects of…

Reported is a study of the relationship between ability to perform selected Piagetian tasks and achievement in various content areas. Sixty fifth-grade students were administered the Science Research Associates Achievement Series to assess grade-level category. Also, each child was administered one or more Piagetian tasks selected to determine…

The concepts "more" and "less" were analyzed into two meaning dimensions, "existence" (derived from children's early language) and "quantity," which were hypothesized to be developmentally related to acts of addition and subtraction. Two experiments tested two- and three-year-olds' comprehension of these concepts when initially equal or unequal…

This study was based on the following assumptions: (1) functioning of the brain's left hemisphere, because of its logical, verbal mode, facilitates conservation reasoning; (2) functioning of the brain's right hemisphere, because of its nonverbal, spatial mode, inhibits conservation reasoning; (3) visual input from the left eye will reach the left…

Investigates the effectiveness of two conflict-producing procedures: (1) Peer interaction and conflict training; and (2) Teacher conflict training in promoting the development of logical thinking of fifth-graders as measured by the acquisition of conservation of area. (HM)

First, second, third, sixth, and ninth graders and college students were presented with 4 different tasks of surface-volume dissociation in order to see whether or not the conservation of one of these properties would wrongly induce a belief in the conservation of the other. (Author/JMB)

The influence of the ability to conserve length in the development of a size concept was investigated in males and females aged 4 years through 9 years. (GO)

Reports on a study designed to investigate secondary school students' misconceptions of conservation principles and fields. Results indicate that misconceptions appear to persist and that students were unable to transfer knowledge readily. Also teachers appear not to be fully aware of students' misconceptions. (ML)