Any figure given for the prevalence of dyslexia must depend on how the word "dyslexia" is defined. There is no point in defining dyslexia as "poor reading"; what is of scientific interest is the syndrome specific to developmental dyslexia, as described by Critchley (1970) and others. Difficulties arise in determining the prevalence of dyslexia in…

Dyslexia is a persistent problem in written language, consisting of a severe difficulty in word recognition. It is characterized by low reading performance, while other skills are not impaired, being normal or even superior in some cases. This paper reviews different proposals for defining and clarifying causes of dyslexia. Additionally, we…

The context of Educational Psychology has seen profound changes over the last 30 years; due to these, self-regulated learning has become a current focus for research, and one of the essential axes of educational practice. Since Zimmerman and Schunk's (1989) publication, "Self-Regulated Learning and Academic Achievement: Theory, Research, and…

Studies on academic motivation from the perspective of goal orientation have been plentiful in recent years. Nonetheless, the conceptual and empirical approach is not uniform, evolving from normative conceptions toward other multidimensional ones. This paper analyzes the classic and reformulated versions of this theory, looking at assumptions,…

Introduction: Evaluative data on performance and school drop-out in the context of the Spanish university justify its current phase of structural, organizational and curricular changes currently underway here. A priority objective is to study motivation problems in university students, at the root of many of these problems. However, the complexity…

Introduction: This research addresses preschoolers' intuitive understanding of rectilinear movement and some variables which affect it, and the type of arguments used when related knowledge states are justified. A first working hypothesis is that the resolution of practical, functional situations would be based on self-regulation processes. A…

Examines the effect of a training program on phonological skills that intended to lead preschool Portuguese children (n=30) to move from prephonetic spellings to early phonemic spellings. Reports that for the experimental group, the intervention was effective in moving the children to early phonemic spellings. Includes references. (CMK)

Describes an applied training study investigating the differential effect of two instructional methods on the reading performance of British primary school children with reading difficulties. Explains that children ages 7 to 10 (n=65) were separated into two groups: (1) based on different types of phonological awareness instruction, and (2) a…

Examines the association between student approaches to learning and stages of reflective thinking using questionnaires. Focuses on undergraduate students (n=402) attending a Hong Kong university. Offers support for close association between approaches to learning and stages of reflection upon practice. (CMK)

Examines Italian high school student beliefs about mathematics and mathematical problem solving by exploring the use of a 36-item self report questionnaire. Reports that a substantial replication of the instruments, with exception of one scale, was not reliable. Finds that the four scales predicted achievement in mathematics to different extents.…

Examines the effect of a special needs category (intellectual disabilities versus emotional and behavioral problems) and student teachers' (n=93) training concerning their attitudes toward inclusion. Reports that neither category affected their attitudes. Determined that teachers were more negative about the impact students with emotional and…

Presents a study in which children, ages 18-47 months (n=30), were observed for 30 minutes in a playroom to determine if: (1) stereotyped toys impact children's play; (2) their behavior influences cognitive development; and (3) which toys are appropriate for the assessment sessions. Includes references. (CMK)

Examined the adjustment of African black and white freshman students(n=335) at a white South African university. Finds that the black students reported lower levels of social adjustment and personality adjustment, but not differences in academic adjustment or institutional commitment. Includes references. (CMK)

Reports the results of multivariate analyses of the relationships among thirteen to fourteen-year-old secondary school pupil's (n=343) theories of ability and their self-regulated learning in physical education. Reveals consistent relationships between motivational beliefs and pupils' use of self-regulation strategies. Includes references. (CMK)

Explores whether Dutch deaf children, ages 9 to 11 years old, are more concerned with the loss of the desired state, while their hearing peers focus on conditions that lead to the negative outcome. Reveals that deaf children concentrate on the fulfillment of desires in their emotion predications and explanations. (CMK)