This symposium was designed to clarify a range of possibility on the development of ability of children according to the various conditions in their growth.
Suga proposed two mathematical models on a development of ability. The first was an interactive model that the child ability could develop infinitely by the xternalanipulation of his environment. The second was a recursive model showing there would be a plateau in the course of development' of ability. According to the second model there was a limit of development of ability ; therefore subsequent learning would be only a transitory regulation and the development of this ability would stop. From such standpoint Suga discussed early education and ability improvement.
Matsubara. from the point of view of counseling, said that age would be the most suitable period to develop such ability. So he insisted that the condi. tions should be. prepared (interest, motivation, language, environment and teaching technique) so to give full play to the child's ability.
Ueno, taking into account clinical diagnosis and remedial teaching on developmental handicaped children, defined ability as adjustment power. He said that in the clinic of handicaped children importance should be given to a dynamic notion of a mobile and hangeable ability in Stead of a static noton of an ability expressing the present state of affairs.
Muto, considering the whole process of making a signification as a development of ability, insisted' that there was no difference on the man's ability because every human being was able to make a signification,. but a difference of man's ability is a difference of strategies of make a signification. So according to his opinion, developmental psychologist should make research on the developmental differences of such strategies.
Discussion following the speaker's proposition focused ‘mainly on the’ aim Of, the development of ability. In short, it seemed that the tandpoints of each speaker could be explained by a structuralistic concept of development in spite of their various, standpoints.
