Compares the effectiveness of cognitive modification, systematic desensitization and speech preparation in the reduction of speech and general anxiety. Results indicate that the cognitive modification program is highly effective in reducing both types of anxiety. (MH)

Recent American history has been marked by certain changes in popular attitudes that, though difficult to measure, may be the most significant events of our time. The dynamics of public opinion are explored with implications for the future. (Author/RK)

A case is made that typing, speaking, and playing music are members of a family of skills that can be studied within a common theory. (Editor)

Five experiments are described which examine how polysyllabic words are stored and retrieved from lexical memory. The first four experiments look at interference effects caused by the accessing of inappropriate lexical entries. The fifth reveals that frequency of the first constituent of a compound word influences classification times. (CHK)

In this experiment, 446 children, ranging in age from 5-10 years, were required to draw one object behind another in a situation in which adults invariably produce the further object partially occluded to the nearer. (MS)

To test the hypothesis that meaning of a sentence is represented in an abstract format rather than one mediated by words or images, 96 spoken sentences were immediately followed by a word or drawing probe. It was concluded that sentence or probe meaning is represented in an abstract conceptual format. (CHK)

Two studies (1) compared the ability of pre- and post-operational children to seriate sets of 4 temporal sequences presented simultaneously and (2) examined the ability to recall sequences when given the initial, middle, or terminal item as a retrieval cue. (SB)

The study focused on the question of whether the use of general persuasive strategies reflecting progressively higher levels of perspective-taking ability increases with age. (SB)

Cognitive organization in problem solving was investigated using a transfer paradigm. (SB)

An attempt was made to validate for sentence type items a mathematical model for inventory response. Data were gathered from subjects responding under candid and under faking sets. In the former case only limited support for the model was found, but in the latter it seemed highly relevant. (Author/RC)

Investigates two possible theoretical accounts for affect-congruency in the verbal content of message output during emotional states. Reveals that neither the number of positive and negative adjectives nor the semantic intensity of adjectives varied with participants' positive states, but that both the number and semantic intensity of negative…

Study 1 explored associations between multiple measures of language and symbolic gesture development across ages 3 and 4; Study 2 measured more finely which aspects of language relate to the symbolic representation of actions with objects, and explored associations between symbolic gesture and general intellectual ability. Results showed…

An Australian study investigated the cognitive functioning profiles of 32 individuals with Fragile X compared to those of 8 children with Down syndrome. Individuals with Fragile X scored significantly lower on sequential processing measures than on simultaneous processing. This difference was not evident for the group with Down syndrome.…

Reviews research on children's and adults' beliefs about fantasy and their tendency to engage in "magical thinking." Suggests that children are not fundamentally different from adults in their ability to distinguish fantasy from reality. Both entertain fantastical beliefs and engage in magical thinking. Offers suggestions regarding age…