Examines developmental trends in and relationships between the metacommunicative, metamemorial, and metasocial-cognitive skills of 182 first- through sixth-grade children. (Author/MP)

Children aged 6 to 13 years were given verbal and nonverbal fluency tasks and block design subtests of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised. Results, providing normative data, showed that fluency tasks are age-, but not sex-dependent, and are modestly correlated to one another. (Author/CM)

Two experiments were conducted to assess whether the distribution of fixation times might be related to the prevailing cognitive activity involved with two different tasks, i.e., driving and observing colored fields. The results suggest that the distribution of fixation times can be associated with the prevailing cognitive activity while viewing.…

The results of two experiments serve to extend the processing-time explanation of content effects and to indicate that context effects are greater when reliance upon phonological input is increased as compared to predominant reliance on the direct visual access route to the lexicon. (FL)

Points out the possible problems that can arise when people are "certain" about something. Suggests that readers need the power of uncertainty, which will allow them to consider new hypotheses, change conceptions, and use knowledge as a framework for constructing meaning, not merely to confirm ideas they already have. (FL)

Two successful procedures for evaluating problem-solving performance in the classroom are shared. Five goals for teaching problem-solving are noted, followed by a discussion of evaluating a child's performance through joint use of: (1) analyzing written work; and (2) observing and questioning students. (MP)

The effect of educational television background music on selective exposure and information acquisition was studied. Background music of slow tempo, regardless of its appeal, had negligible effects on attention and information acquisition. Rhythmic, fast-tempo background music, especially when appealing, significantly reduced visual attention to…

Argues that imagery can play an important part in a variety of academic subjects. Provides instructions concerning the method by which imagery can be used in such diverse fields as the development of social skills, the identification of interests and career areas, and creative productivity. (FL)

The paper reviews the origins and applications of cognitive behavior modification (CBM), an approach involving exceptional students in their own behavior change. Contributions to CBM are traced from behavior modification, cognitive psychology, and instructional theory and research. Applications (training self-instruction and problem solving) are…

Investigates questioning behavior--the generation and formulation of questions--as an observable behavioral act reflecting information needs which proceeds from a series of cognitive processes produced by the "need to know." Statistical and linguistic analyses support the theory that the nature of information need can be discerned…

The Rational Behavior Inventory and other scales of psychological adjustment were administered to mental health outpatients (N=75) who were receiving psychotherapy. Significant correlations were found between all measures in expected directions, and significant pre- to postscale differences identified consistently with expected effects of…

Used an attitude survey and a role-playing case to identify the typical approaches people use to implement important changes in organizations. This strategy was not successful in producing change. Using the "Delta Technique," 86 percent of the subjects were successful in introducing change in another 14 role-playing trials. (Author/RC)

Reports the results of a study in which community college students were found to be unable to summarize adequately without considerable training. (AEA)

Simplified interpretations of brain function portraying rationality solely in the left hemisphere and creativity solely in the right are incorrect, but the two sides of the brain do differ in important ways. Conclusive implications of brain research cannot yet be drawn for educational practices, but certain inferences can be made. (Author/JM)

As calculators and computer use increases in mathematics education, more educators are recognizing a shift in emphasis from computation to problem solving. Ways to generate problems that can be used to develop pupil creativity and insight are suggested, and process-oriented instruction is promoted. (MP)