Motor Development: Recognizing Our Roots,Charting Our Future

In this paper I explore the common history of developmental psychology and motor development, concluding that the field of motor development should be defined in a manner analogous to the way its parent field, developmental psychology, is defined. Therefore, I view the study of motor development as the study of change in motor behavior across the lifespan. This was the implicit definition used by the first textbook in the field, Espenschade and Eckert's (1967) Motor Development. Two implications of this definition are (a) with change in motor behavior as the focus of study, age becomes a “marker variable” in developmental research, and (b) the lifespan perspective frees (and forces) motor development researchers to reexamine causation. These implications further suggest that the organismic paradigm is no longer sufficient for the field of motor development. I propose that general systems theory, exemplified in the study of motor development by dynamical systems theory, is a possible, new paradigm for lifespan motor development research.     

Educating the Developing Mind: Towards an Overarching Paradigm

This essay first summarizes an overarching theory of cognitive organization and development. This theory claims that the human mind involves (1) several specialized structural systems dealing with different domains of relations in the environment, (2) a central representational capacity system, (3) general inferential processes, and (4) consciousness. These systems interact dynamically during development so that changes in each are related to changes in others. The changes in all systems and the change mechanisms are described. This theory integrates research and theorizing from cognitive, developmental, and differential psychology. Based on this theory, a model for education is proposed that specifies, first, educational priorities for different phases of development according to the cognitive developmental milestones associated with each phase. The theory also specifies how education can educate students to (1) construct mental models for the sake of conceptual change, (2) use their central representational capacity efficiently, (3) advance analogical and deductive reasoning, (4) learn how to learn, and (5) become critical and creative thinkers. The theory is offered as an overarching paradigm for the architecture, the development, and the education of the human mind.     

Defending Qualitative Change: The View From Dynamical Systems Theory

A central controversy in developmental science, enflamed by nativist accounts, is whether development is best viewed as a series of qualitative or continuous changes. This article defends the notion of qualitative change from the perspective of dynamical systems theory (DST). Qualitative change within DST refers to the shift that occurs when a system goes from one attractor state through an instability into a different attractor state. Such changes occur on the second‐to‐second timescale of behavior. Thus, developmental analysis must always stay local, grounded in the real‐time attractor states around which behavior is organized. This article also demonstrates that qualitative and continuous change should not be cast in opposition. They are aligned concepts that work together across multiple timescales.     

In quest of the functional architecture of the developing mind: The Aristotelian project

This paper summarizes a theory of cognitive development that argues that the mind develops across three fronts. The first refers to a general processing system that defines the general potentials of mind to develop cognitive strategies and skills. The second refers to a hypercognitive system that governs self-understanding and self-regulation. The third involves a set of specialized structural systems which are responsible for the representation and processing of different reality domains. There are specific forces which are responsible for this organization of mind. These are expressed in the paper in terms of a set of five organizational principles. The developmental course of the major systems is outlined. Developmental change is ascribed by the theory to the interaction between the various systems. Different types of development require different change mechanisms. Several studies are outlined in the paper which provide empirical support to each of these propositions. The theoretical and educational implications of this project are discussed in the concluding section of the paper.     

From individual differences to dynamic pathways of development

A fruitful way to build upon French-language research on development of analogical and propositional processes in logical reasoning tasks is to use dynamic systems tools to describe and analyze relevant developmental pathways. Issues to address include (1) the characteristics of developmental transitions, such as hysteresis; (2) the nature of growth processes, such as hierarchical development or predator-prey interactions; and (3) the construction of effective scales for measuring change in logical reasoning.     

Complex dynamics in academics' developmental processes in teaching

Improving teaching in higher education is a concern for universities worldwide. This study explored academics’ developmental processes in teaching using episodic interviews and teaching portfolios. Eight academics in the context of teaching development reported changes in their teaching and change triggers. Thematic analyses revealed seven areas of change: participants most frequently reported changes in concepts about teaching, their teaching selves and teaching strategies. Triggers of change clustered into eight categories with teaching practices, teaching courses and metacognition reported most frequently. Analysing relations among areas and triggers of change indicated complex dynamics in academics' developmental processes in teaching. This suggests that teaching development should incorporate multiple change triggers to facilitate academics' development in teaching effectively.     

Developmental Systems of Students' Personal Theories About Education

Children hold many personal theories about education: theories about themselves, knowledge, and the learning process. Personal theories help children predict what their actions will cause, and therefore relate to motivation, self-regulation, and achievement. Researchers typically examine how specific types of personal theories develop independently, but the similarities among personal theories suggest more systematic developmental processes. Accordingly, this article outlines a developmental systems model to organize existing personal theories research. We first identify and define personal theories related to education and then consider the nature of their development as a coherent, hierarchical structure that is shaped through educational experiences. This model provides parsimony while advancing a number of fields by providing clarity of concepts, insight across fields, and a better understanding of development and educational outcomes. We conclude by proposing new directions to understand how holistic sets of personal theories change over time and considering implications for educational interventions.     

社会发展与社会进步关系辨析

本文认为,社会发展不等于社会进步。“社会发展”所概括的范围要大于社会进步,当然包括社会进步,它具有实践性、过程性、局域性特别是代价性等特点;而“社会进步”是社会发展进程中主流的、本质的现象和必然的趋势,具有总体性、趋势性、前进性、结果性等特点。当然,它们之间还存在着相互关联、相互统一的一面。本文还进一步从理论发展哲学、发展伦理学和发展美学的角度探讨了社会发展与社会进步的区别及其转化问题。     

MEASUREMENT OF CHANGE IN THE MEANING OF WRITING IN FRESHMAN ENGLISH

This study had a two‐fold purpose: first, to determine whether a measurable change in the meaning of the word writing could occur during a writing course; and second, to measure meaning rather than merely student attitudes toward writing. To satisfy these purposes, a semantic differential was administered to students in both regular and developmental classes in a two‐year campus at the beginning and the end of the 10‐week term. The scale measured the meaning of the term writing according to three dimensions: evaluation, activity, and potency. Scores were compared for each student and for each class of students. A significant increase occurred in the activity dimension for students in the regular classes by the end of the term; however, their evaluative rating decreased. Developmental students showed no change. Correlations with other measures of student performance were performed: final grades in the writing course, high school G.P.A., and verbal SAT scores. Regular students’ final grades correlated positively with the evaluation dimension of writing, and their verbal SAT scores correlated positively with the activity and potency dimensions. An inverse correlation was obtained between the developmental students’ verbal SAT scores and their evaluative rating. All correlations were stronger by the end of the term. Implications for writing teachers are discussed. Use of this instrument for measuring change in students’ perceptions of writing is recommended.     

Opportunities for Neurodevelopmental Plasticity From Infancy Through Early Adulthood

Multiple and rapid changes in brain development occur in infancy and early childhood that undergird behavioral development in core domains. The period of adolescence also carries a second influx of growth and change in the brain to support the unique developmental tasks of adolescence. This special section documents two core conclusions from multiple studies. First, evidence for change in brain‐based metrics that underlie cognitive and behavioral functions are not limited to narrow windows in development, but are evident from infancy into early adulthood. Second, the specific evident changes are unique to challenges and goals that are salient for a respective developmental period. These brain‐based changes interface with environmental inputs, whether from the child's broader ecology or at an individual level.     

Visual Short‐Term Memory for Complex Objects in 6‐ and 8‐Month‐Old Infants

Infants' visual short‐term memory (VSTM) for simple objects undergoes dramatic development: Six‐month‐old infants can store in VSTM information about only a simple object presented in isolation, whereas 8‐month‐old infants can store information about simple objects presented in multiple‐item arrays. This study extended this work to examine the development of infants' VSTM for complex objects during this same period (N = 105). Using the simultaneous streams change detection paradigm, Experiment 1 confirmed the previous developmental trajectory between 6 and 8 months. Experiment 2 showed that doubling the exposure time did not enhance 6‐month‐old infants' change detection, demonstrating that the developmental change is not due to encoding speed. Thus, VSTM for simple and complex objects appears to follow the same developmental trajectory.     

Going beyond. In tribute to Annette Karmiloff-Smith / Ir más allá. En homenaje a Annette Karmiloff-Smith

This article provides an overview of some of Annette Karmiloff-Smith’s many contributions and the impact of her research on the study of cognitive and linguistic development. Her research work exceeded the dichotomous explanations of development, broadened the limits of developmental periods that are worth examining, emphasized the importance of notational knowledge as a developmental domain and demonstrated the need for research in cognitive science to go beyond describing successful performance on certain tasks in order to more deeply account for representational change.     

Child Development and Public Policy: Toward a Dynamic Systems Perspective

Little theoretical work exists that proposes general mechanisms for how public policies may influence child development. This article argues that dynamic systems theories may be useful in illuminating such processes, as well as highlighting gaps in current research at the intersection of public policy analysis and developmental science. A brief review of dynamic systems theories as they are currently utilized in other areas of developmental science is provided, as well as a statement of why they may help advance research in public policy and child development. Five principles of dynamic systems theories are presented and discussed using examples from research that address the question, "How do current antipoverty and welfare reform policies affect children?" Also presented are examples of hypotheses and research questions that each principle may generate for future work. The concluding section presents challenges that each principle poses for research methodology, and potential uses of the dynamic systems approach for developing and integrating policy and program initiatives.     

Cognitive Development in Gifted Children: Toward a More Precise Understanding of Emerging Differences in Intelligence

To truly understand gifted performance, it is necessary to merge research on giftedness with current thinking in cognitive development and intelligence. This article presents traditional research on gifted children's cognitive development then considers how the application of newer models and theories from the field of cognitive development can be combined with research on giftedness to change the way people think about gifted performance. First four factors that have often been associated with giftedness are discussed from the perspectives of cognitive developmental psychology and gifted education. Next, emphasis is placed on investigating the strategic development of gifted children. Specifically, R. S. Siegler's (Emerging Minds: The Process of Change in Children's Thinking, Oxford University Press, New York, 1996) model of strategy development is addressed in terms of what it may contribute to understanding gifted cognition. Finally, future lines of research using models from cognitive development and complex systems models of development are recommended.     

Acculturation or Development? Autonomy Expectations Among Ethnic German Immigrant Adolescents and Their Native German Age‐Mates

This longitudinal study compared immigrant and native adolescents’ expectations concerning the timing of conventional socially acceptable and oppositional less socially acceptable forms of autonomy. Based on normative development and a collectivist background among immigrants, both developmental and acculturative change was expected. The sample consisted of 523 ethnic German immigrants from the former Soviet Union and 475 native German adolescents, both groups divided into an early (age 12.5 years) and a late (age 16 years) adolescent group. Results revealed more developmental than acculturative change, as immigrants and natives mostly showed a similar rate of change in autonomy expectations. Acculturative change was found only for oppositional autonomy among late adolescent immigrants, whose later expectations approached those of their native age‐mates over time.     

花椒茎次生木质部导管分子研究

采用离析对花椒茎次生木质部的导管分子类型、导管分子的长度、直径、穿孔板类型及尾端特征进行了研究．结果表明：花椒茎次生木质部的导管分子壁为孔纹;端部特征是无尾、一端有尾和两端有尾的导管分子均有;导管分子穿孔板主要是单穿孔板类型,位于端壁和侧壁上,有的在侧壁上形成对穿孔．表明花椒属于较为进化的植物,但同种植物不同导管分子进化程度不同,同一导管分子不同性状进化程度也不同．花椒次生木质部导管分子的发育过程中重演了系统发育的历程．     

Building Full-Service Schools: Lessons Learned in the Development of Interagency Collaboratives

Although the history of clinical–school–community collaboration can be traced back to the end of the 19th century, the full-service school movement represents a new era in the quest for more effective ways to deliver human services to children. Building on the personal experience of the authors and the literature concerning the development of integrated service delivery systems, this article outlines conceptual, administrative, fiscal, legal–ethical, and practical issues that can hinder local efforts to develop full-service schools. The systematic analysis of potentially negative influences is presented as something that must be pursued by educational and psychological consultants so that, as the next millennium begins, they will be in a position to help local working groups develop interagency collaboratives that more effectively integrate school and human service systems, increase service use, and promote positive developmental outcomes for children living in high-risk situations.     

高等学校人才培养体系的问题与思考

高校人才培养问题主要表现为人才培养目标体系的一元封闭性,知识结构的片面狭隘性,人才素质能力发展的薄弱单向性三个方面,即高校教学体系及人才培养体系的主体单一性和结构的封闭性.对此,高等学校应转变教育观念,从高校人才培养功能着手,突破人才培养目标体系、人才知识结构、人才素质能力等方面构成的结构封闭性,形成大学功能的有机联系,以人才培养主体多元性、人才培养模式开放性,建构多元交叉的开放式人才培养模式,促进高校创新型和杰出人才的培养.     

Toward a science for and of the people: promoting civil society through the application of developmental science

Applied developmental science (ADS) is scholarship that seeks to advance the integration of developmental research with actions-policies and programs-that promote positive development and/or enhance the life chances of vulnerable children and families. Through this integration ADS may become a major means to foster a science for and of the people. It may serve as an exemplar of the means through which scholarship, with community collaboration, may contribute directly to social justice. In so doing, ADS helps shift the model of amelioration, prevention, or optimization research from one demonstrating efficacy to one promoting outreach. When this contribution occurs in the context of university-community partnerships, ADS may serve also as a model of how higher education may engage policy makers, contribute to community capacity to sustain valued programs, and maintain and perpetuate civil society through knowledge-based, interinstitutional systems change.     

主观因素与学制变迁:从"实业教育"到"职业教育"改革之管见

近现代中国学制的建立和变迁同当事人的主观因素具有直接的关系。清末的学制主要出自政治家的选择,1922年的新学制则更多地渗透了教育家的理想,二者的区别可以在"实业教育"到"职业教育"的变化当中得到反映。至于学制改革对职业教育发展的影响,不论它是否以学校之外的功利为中心,首要的还应取决于当时的客观环境。