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Process Improvement (PI) is an approach for helping organizations to identify and resolve inefficient and ineffective processes through problem solving and pilot testing change. Use of PI in improving client access, retention and outcomes in addiction treatment is on the rise through the teaching of the Network for the Improvement of Addiction Treatment's (NIATx) Model for Improvement. Emphasizing five phases of change, five key principles for change, and four revolving aims, NIATx has taught hundreds of addiction treatment administrative and clinical staff to lead successful process improvement initiatives. This paper draws on experience from NIATx and offers methods and concepts to consider in the teaching of core process improvement tools and techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses John McDowell's central mentalist notions, conceptuality and mindedness. Conceptuality when applied to everyday living means that we tend to use an equipment based on its usefulness to a specific task not by the physical properties it has such as weight or color. It is the process of how a person conceive, perceive or cope something. Mindedness as discussed by the author stressed that a person is said to be coping when it is involved in a particular activity. It notes that when a person is involved in learning, problem solving, responding to training, that person is mindful of what he is doing.

The article discusses the effects of environmental deprivation on basic psychological processes and cognitive development of children. Theories propose perceptual processes and their development as the foundation for later abstract and cognitive skills. Other theorists have placed more emphasis on language and language development as crucial to the problem solving process. Part of the basis for what can be considered of the assumption that the development of language is socially determined, but that perceptual development is not.