深度信念以及信念和信仰的相对作用

“深度信念”是怀特海文稿中的关键概念。在怀特海有机哲学看来,动机、方法和意义是一个整体。他懂得要在深层次上探查人类追求意义及理解的倾向,进而揭示“追求”行为中的创造张力。深度信念就是这种深层次的动力。深度信念不同于各种各样起源于文化传统的信仰或偶发的信念,它不像后者那样可能失去。怀特海认为,在个人经验中,某一个信念的失去更可能是“无限性激励下的有限性”,是某种“超越的内在性”,“朝向更精美细致的结果”。深度信念促成了精神的冒险,是人类固化成就中不可抹去的最富锐气的因素,是人的呈现。     

Some concerns about the estimation of learning potential from the system of multicultural pluralistic assessment

After considering how an estimate of learning potential (ELP) is derived from the System of Multicultural Pluralistic Assessment, it was shown that most of the characteristics of ELP deemed to be important are generated by statistical artifacts. It was also noted that the fundamental assumption underlying ELP is without supportive evidence. ELP should not be used to make judgements about individual children or other educational decisions.     

New media environments’ comparative effects upon intercultural sensitivity: A five-dimensional analysis

An experimental 2 (channel) × 2 (gender) × 3 (time) mixed factorial design (N = 159) was applied to test and compare how individual dimensions of intercultural sensitivity might be affected by two channels: a virtual environment (i.e., Second Life^®) versus a Web environment. Using a modified version of Chen and Starosta's Intercultural Sensitivity Scale (ISS), the study sought to identify which of the five ISS dimensions played the most influential role in intercultural sensitivity outcomes: interaction enjoyment, interaction engagement, interaction confidence, interaction attentiveness, or respect for cultural differences. Results showed that one's willingness and effort toward understanding an intercultural interaction – interaction attentiveness – played the greatest and most statistically significant role in intercultural sensitivity outcomes, and that this effect was greatest within the virtual environment channel. Gender effects were also found, in which men experienced greater enjoyment but women expressed more attentiveness.     

Kindergarten Children's Executive Functions Predict Their Second-Grade Academic Achievement and Behavior

Whether and to what extent kindergarten children's executive functions (EF) constitute promising targets of early intervention is currently unclear. This study examined whether kindergarten children's EF predicted their second-grade academic achievement and behavior. This was done using (a) a longitudinal and nationally representative sample (N = 8,920, M_age = 97.6 months), (b) multiple measures of EF, academic achievement, and behavior, and (c) extensive statistical control including for domain-specific and domain-general lagged dependent variables. All three measures of EF—working memory, cognitive flexibility, and inhibitory control—positively and significantly predicted reading, mathematics, and science achievement. In addition, inhibitory control negatively predicted both externalizing and internalizing problem behaviors. Children's EF constitute promising targets of experimentally evaluated interventions for increasing academic and behavioral functioning.