Examined the relationship of environmental input to cognitive growth in language, spatial operations, concepts, and associative memory in children tested four times six months apart and differing in the amount of school input received. Found that children made greater growth over periods with greater amounts of school input for language, spatial…

Applied a person-centered approach to childhood personality development in 28 diverse samples of 3- to 6-year-olds studied over 6 years. Identified resilient, overcontrolled, and undercontrolled personality types. Found that the undercontrolled personality type related to intellectual decline over 6 years. The number of family risks predicted…

Describes features and benefits of the person-centered approach to studying personality, identifies unanswered questions, and suggests research directions. Benefits noted include focus on intraindividual structure, descriptive efficiency, use of types as moderator variables, predictive validity, and conceptual clarity and intuitive appeal.…

Five studies examined personal continuity among Native and non-Native North American adolescents. Demonstrated that reasoning about personal persistence proceeds in an orderly and increasingly sophisticated manner over identity development. Failures to warrant self-continuity were strongly associated with increased suicide risk. Efforts to…

Suggests explanations for derailment of the self-continuity warranting process. Maintains that although Chandler's studies used important concepts without sufficient evidence for construct validity, such use may be justified by the need to address the high Native youth suicide rate. Concludes that Chandler et al. have begun to validate a measure…

Examined competence motivation of 77 children at 12 and 30 months in relation to the quality of parental support received at various age intervals. Although quality of parental support was moderately stable across time, found only weak relationships between quality of support received earlier and children's later competence motivation. Found…

Analyzes key assumptions behind Vygotsky's writing on children's play. Argues that Vygotsky's writings about play do not constitute a psychological theory, and would be better acknowledged as part of the historical evolution of ideas about children's play. Maintains that theoretical significance of Vygotsky's opinion about play can be questioned…

Considers how forgiveness is learned and what developmental features it has in common with other prosocial activities. Maintains that viewing forgiveness within a moral developmental framework does not consider its complex nature nor address related issues such as damage severity, restoring relationships, empathy, or altruism. Explores these areas…

Examined impact of a year-long course to enable new mothers to become more knowledgeable, observant, and responsive to their infants' cues. Found that compared to the non-intervention group, intervention group mothers significantly increased their knowledge of infant development, were more proactive with regard to infant medical care, and their…

Examined blood lead levels in 1,190 children residing in Mississippi. Found that boys had a higher level than girls, and black children had a higher level than white children. The percentage of children with lead toxicity was 8.5 percent. The winter season had a significantly lower lead level than autumn. (Author/KB)

Examines the biological factors underlying autism, focusing on research in four areas: (1) neurological abnormalities; (2) biochemical abnormalities; (3) genetic problems; and (4) problems during pregnancy or birth. Maintains that autism is a heterogeneous disorder and that there is no unified model that explains its etiology. (Author/KB)

A microethnographic study examined the language functions and cultural traits of Mexican American children during sociodramatic play in a bilingual preschool classroom. Findings showed that children learn how to use social language by having the opportunity to practice it freely but with guidance. Suggestions were devised for evaluating children's…

Describes a program to strengthen involvement of non-custodial fathers in their children's lives in an impoverished metropolitan area. Provides a demographic profile of fathers and their visitation frequency. Includes descriptions of parenting groups, vocational and educational assistance, and substance abuse interventions. Concludes that the…

Compared psychogenic needs structures of 2 groups of 16-year-olds from 1964 and 1992. Found that 1992 adolescents, compared to those from 1964, described themselves as more aggressive, more aimed at achievement, with a greater need to be at the center of attention and a greater need for autonomy and independence, but less need for order, rules,…

Examined relationship between family literacy practices and mothers' beliefs about early reading instruction, and children's emergent literacy skills. Identified mothers with 'whole language' theories and mothers with phonics orientations. Found that mothers' implicit theories were associated with their modeling of literacy behaviors, helping…