Development of Mental Representation

There is a general and extensive literature in the development of representational thought and symbolic processes because of its centrality in human evolution. However, the umbrella of science and its method does not necessarily lead to a coherent conceptual model, or agreements among scholars. These basic differences among various disciplines have led to the creation of new and exciting realms of research. This book considers how representational or symbolic thought develops for children's use in a wide array of these circumstances.

Irving E. Sigel

Contents: R.R. Cocking, Preface. Part I:Theories of Representation.I.E. Sigel, Approaches to Representation as a Psychological Construct: A Treatise in Diversity. M.E. Martinez, Cognitive Representations: Distinctions, Implications, and Elaborations. A.A. Benasich, H.L. Read, Representation: Picture or Process? J.S. DeLoache, C.M. Smith, Early Symbolic Representation. S.A. Gelman, G. Diesendruck, What's in a Concept? Context, Variability, and Psychological Essentialism. E.K. Scholnick, Representing Logic. J.I.M. Carpendale, Constructivism, Communication, and Cooperation: Implications of Michael Chapman's "Epistemic Triangle." G.S Halford, The Properties of Representations Used in Higher Cognitive Processes: Developmental Implications. J. Pascual-Leone, J. Johnson, A Dialectical Constructivist View of Representation: Role of Mental Attention, Executives, and Symbols. M.J. Chandler, B.W. Sokol, Representation Once Removed: Children's Developing Conceptions of Representational Life. M.F. Mascolo, K.W. Fischer, The Development of Representation as the Coordination of Component Systems of Action. B. Dorval, A Bakhtinian View of Egocentric Speech. J.P. Byrnes, The Nature and Development of Representation: Forging a Synthesis of Competing Approaches. Part II:Application of Representation in Practice.L.S. Liben, Developing an Understanding of External Spatial Representations. R. Lesh, The Development of Representational Abilities in Middle School Mathematics. D.H. Gitomer, L.S. Steinberg, Representational Issues in Assessment Design. U. Shafrir, Representational Competence. J.E. Marcia, Representational Thought in Ego Identity, Psychotherapy, and Psychosocial Developmental Theory. L.R. Herrenkohl, J.V. Wertsch, The Use of Cultural Tools: Mastery and Appropriation. J. McLellan, J.E. Youniss, A Representational System for Peer Crowds. Part III:Visual Representation as Pictoral.S.L. Calvert, The Form of Thought.