Perry (1970) and Belenky, Clinchy, Goldberger, and Tarule's (1986) theories of cognitive development in college students are discussed. Connections are also made between the theories and the difficulties many students who have taken AP English in high school experience when they take first-year composition. Many of these students are resistant to learning more about writing although their work indicates that they need improvement in order to write effectively at the college level. The author posits that Perry's (1970) concepts of adherence and opposition to authority are especially useful in understanding these students. The author makes recommendations for helping these students develop in their thinking and writing.
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