There are qualitative differences in the modal hypothesis-sampling systems of preoperational, concrete operational, and formal operational children and young adults. These are congenial to predictions derived from Piaget. Preoperational kindergarten children show mostly stereotypes, while their concrete operational peers exhibit use of dimension and hypothesis-checking in more than half their problems. After training formal operational eighth graders and college students show perfect processing in most problems; those who score as concrete operational appear unable to acquire this strategy. Cognitive level is not a good predictor of performance among middle-aged (40 to 50 yr.) and older adults (60 to 80 yr.).
References
1.
ByrdD. M.SchuepferT.GholsonB.Systematic problem solving among young, middle-aged, and older adults of two cognitive levels. In GholsonB. (Ed.), The cognitive-developmental basis of human learning. New York: Academic Press, 1980. Pp. 148–158.
2.
EimasP. D.Effects of memory aids on hypothesis behavior and focusing in young children and adults. Journal of Experimental Child Psychology, 1970, 10, 319–336.
3.
GagnéR. M.The conditions of learning. New York: Holt, 1970.
4.
GholsonB.BeilinH.A developmental model of human learning. In ReeseH. W.LipsittL. P. (Eds.), Advances in child development and behavior. Vol. 13. New York: Academic Press, 1979. Pp. 47–81.
5.
GholsonB.O'ConnorJ.SternI.Hypothesis sampling systems among preoperational and concrete operational kindergarten children. Journal of Experimental Child Psychology, 1976, 21, 61–76.
6.
GholsonB.TheobaldD. E.YarbroughS. T.Strategic problem solving among kindergarten children of three cognitive levels. In GholsonB. (Ed.), The cognitive-developmental basis of human learning. New York: Academic Press, 1980. Pp. 137–148.
7.
HullC. L.Principles of behavior. New York: Appleton, 1943.
8.
InhelderB.PiagetJ.The growth of logical thinking from childhood to adolescence. New York: Basic Books, 1958.
9.
InhelderB.PiagetJ.The early growth of logic in the child. New York: Norton, 1964.
10.
LevineM.A cognitive theory of learning: Research on hypothesis testing. Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Assoc, 1975.
11.
LinehanK. S.Preschoolers performance as a function of the amount of coaching in a dimension checking strategy. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, Memphis State Univer., 1980.
12.
OffenbachS. I.A developmental study of hypothesis testing and cue selection strategies. Developmental Psychology, 1974, 10, 484–490.
13.
PhillipsS.LevineM.Probing for hypotheses with adults and children: Blank trials and introtacts. Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, 1975, 104, 327–354.
14.
RichmanS.Piagetian stage, strategy modeling, and problem-solving strategies. Paper presented at the American Psychological Association Meetings, Washington, D. C., September, 1976.
15.
RichmanS.ShaheenJ.MontgomeryT.Strategy modeling and problem solving in concrete to formal operational subjects. Paper presented at the Southeastern Conference on Human Development Meetings, Atlanta, April, 1978.
16.
StevensonH. W.Learning in children. In MussenP. H. (Ed.), Carmichael's ‘Manual of child psychology.’Vol.1. New York: Wiley, 1970. Pp. 849–938.
17.
WatsonJ. B.Behavior: An introduction to comparative psychology. New York: Holt, Rinehart & Winston, 1914.
