Functional brain development in infants: elements of an interactive specialization framework

One future direction for cognitive development research involves a closer integration with our knowledge about the developing brain. I present a framework for analyzing and interpreting postnatal functional brain development in human infants. Three specific hypotheses contribute to this framework, within which a variety of phenomena associated with the neural basis of perception and cognition in normal and abnormal development can be characterized.     

The FCC under fire

In 1938 Hadley Cantril was able to study the effect of Orson Welles’ “Invasion from Mars”; program in the period immediately following the broadcast. This broadcast was perhaps the greatest hoax—or deception—of its time.

Although not nearly so dramatic in its impact, it cannot be denied that the disclosure of the rigging of quiz shows had its effect upon the American public.     

Skills, Socrates and the Sophists: Learning from History

The Sophists, and the Socratic response they provoked, are considered in order to elucidate issues raised by present-day skill-talk. These issues include: whether skills avoid questions of ends and truth; the existence of general skills, such as critical thinking; the importance of knowledge; skills and the personality; and some implications for teaching and philosophy.