Comparative Studies of How People Think

An Introduction

Michael Cole

Barbara Means


    Old Interests and New Demands

    The Normative Logic of Experimental Design

    What Happens When All Other Things Are Not Equal?

    Obtaining Comparable Groups
    Equivalence of Treatment for Different Groups
    Limitations of Simple Descriptions of Group Differences
    Relating Group Differences to Underlying Causes

    Comparing Tasks and Groups

    Comparing Patterns of Performance
    The Group by Tack Interaction Approach
    Training Studies
    Cautionary Notes

    Model-based Approaches

    Qualitative information-processing Models
    Computer Simulation Models
    Mathematical Models
    Functional Measurement
    Advantages of Model-based Research Strategies
    Cautionary Notes

    From Laboratory to Life

    Comparing Laboratory and Real-Life Tacks
    Training Cognitive Processes
    Training Tacks of Practical Importance
    Value Judgments in Cognitive Research
    On the Reference of Basic Research

    Appendix. Statistical Issues in Comparative Research

    Attempts to Control for Pre-existing Group Differences
    Interpreting Group by Task Interactions

    References

    Notes

    Index

  • Cover: Comparative Studies of How People Think

Michael Cole is Professor of Communication and Psychology and Director of the Laboratory of Comparative Human Cognition at the University of California, San Diego.