The Acquisition of Formal Operational Schemata During Adolescence: The Role of the Biconditional.

Students (N=387) in grades 8, 10, 12, and college were administered eight reasoning items to test hypothesis that the basic logic utilized in individuals in scientific hypothesis testing is the biconditional and that the biconditional is a precondition for development of formal operations. Results and implications for science instruction are discussed. (Author/JN)