The author critically reviews the literature on the developmental approach to mental retardation by examining such aspects as motivation, interrupted tasks, probability learning, institutional effect, statistical problems, and Piagetian tasks; and questions whether there is a substantial body of valid evidence supporting claims of…

Investigated the development of informal addition in Dioula (A Moslem ethnic group from West Africa) from childhood to adulthood and the effect of schooling on mental arithmetic. Compares these data with results from a study of children from the United States. (MK)

Adjustment problems of disabled adolescents and appropriate rehabilitation programs are examined. Specific problems of the disabled are explained for each of the following normal developmental issues: separation, body image, achieving independence, sexual identity, aggression, depression, and problems of educational and vocational development. (DB)

Data evolving from processes which are developmental or hierarchical in nature are often analyzed by using latent class or latent structure models. A procedure for estimating such models when the model is not "identifiable" is presented. (JKS)

Discusses various aspects of adolescents' needs and feelings in relation to their efforts to become competent human beings. (SS)

Suggests some difficulties and challenges in understanding and teaching Piaget's new theory. Outlines some differences between Piaget's new and standard theories, such as the diminished status of the emergent skills that mark the onset of concrete operational thinking and the perception of achievements in concrete operations as empirical…

Four- to 11-year-olds made duration, distance, and speed judgments on Piagetian tasks where cars ran on parallel tracks. Among younger children, duration and distance judgments had approximately the same difficulty. Among older children, distance judgments were easier than duration judgments, and symmetry of effects of temporal and spatial…

As an outgrowth of the theory of flow, looks at some fine distinctions regarding the adolescent's optimal conditions for growth. Points to the importance of the adolescent's ability to reinterpret conflicts which crop up in raw experience, to overcome psychic entropy with long-term challenges or "life themes," and to find new meaning and…

Compared disabled (n=45) and nondisabled (n=45) undergraduates to determine how disabled compare to nondisabled in developmental tasks required of college students; whether academic performance can be predicted on basis of developmental skills; and whether age at onset of disability influences college student developmental skills. Found…

Considers retirement as widespread developmental transition. Seeks to exploit and advance Erikson's life cycle model by noting major transition challenges between generativity and integrity; distinguishing between tasks and outcomes in such transitions; and viewing such tasks as derived from historical, biological, psychological, and sociocultural…

Family is a major influence on career development. A framework matching developmental stages of children and families is useful in planning and implementing career services for persons with disabilities. (SK)

Five studies examined adults' responses to weight conservation questions which were constructed to give subjects a choice of two incorrect answers. The results showed that adults (1) acquiesced to the misleading implications of the questions; and (2) exhibited greater nonconservation in response to questions about the body than about external…

Explores developmental implications for fathers of underinvolvement in child care using Erikson's conception of adult development and his emphasis on achieving generativity. Suggests processes by which fathers may develop generativity and outlines challenges they face in achieving it. Suggests that man's involvement in child care may be crucial to…

Results of the Need for Cognition Scale for 40 older adults indicated that their levels of need were related to their performance on Piagetian tasks. Intelligence thus appears determined by attitudes as well as ability. Motivation, need, and intellectual preferences, rather than aging, may contribute to perceived decline in intellectual skills.…

The field of youth development is based on a long tradition of youth work practice, a body of research on adolescent development, an increasing understanding of developmental processes, and work in related applied fields like education and child care. Whereas multiple lists have emerged describing what comprises or is needed for youth development,…