The role of speech characteristics in scholastic success.

Compared 2 groups of 93 French-Canadian 3rd grade boys in terms of verbal intelligence and various characteristics of speech. Ss in both groups came from low social class homes, and were similar in measured nonverbal intelligence. The essential difference between groups was school achievement; 1 group had average grades of B or above, the other, C or below. It was found that the groups differed reliably in verbal intelligence and in particular speech characteristics, analyzed by an experienced linguist. Distinctive patterns of speech differentiated the 2 groups even with verbal intelligence statistically controlled. Results are discussed in terms of current psycholinguistic theories of social-class differences in speech and language. (French summary) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

More on measures of category clustering in free recall-although probably not the last word.

Suggests that W. A. Bousfield's (see record 1954-07135-001) ratio of repetition is the best measure of clustering in free recall presently available. Its expected value can be determined by a simple formula, and it is independent of the number of words recalled. Thus it is particularly well suited for developmental psychology research. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)