Culture influences basic motivational processes; however, Western theories of achievement motivation seem to have neglected the role of culture. They are inadequate when trying to explain student motivation and engagement across a wide range of cultural groups because they may not have the conceptual tools needed to handle culturally relevant…

This article synthesized evidence for the validity and reliability of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire in children aged 3-5 years. A systematic review using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement guidelines was carried out. Study quality was rated using the Consensus-based Standards for the…

Investigators are urged to plan factor analytic studies prior to collecting the data, to formulate a hypothesized factor structure, to develop several relatively pure measures of each factor expected, and to select an appropriate sample of at least 200 cases. Continuous variables should be used rather than dichotomous variables. (Author)

Factor analytic literature published since 1965 examining the dimensionality of the adaptive behavior (AB) construct is reviewed, in light of AB's inclusion in the definition of mental retardation. Personal independence and five secondary factors were identified. AB's dimensionality varied as a function of number of methodologies and scale…

Defends the four-step approach to structural equation modeling based on testing sequences of models and points out misunderstandings of opponents of the approach. The four-step approach allows the separation of respective constraints within a structural equation model. (SLD)

H. Marsh and A. Yeung have criticized the conclusions of the present authors with regard to academic self-concept as inconsistent with previous research. It is argued that this inconsistency is because items on the academic self-concept scales are not adequate for answering questions about children's differentiation of perceived ability and…

Factor analysis has historically been used for myriad purposes in the social and behavioral sciences, but an especially important application of this technique has been to evaluate construct validity. Since in the present milieu both exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) are readily available to the researcher,…

Describes research on interpersonal expectancy effects, concentrating on classroom settings. Results of a meta-analysis of 448 studies of interpersonal expectancy effects are summarized. A 10-point model for the study of such effects and evidence supporting a 4-factor theory of the mediation of teacher expectancy effects are presented. (SLD)

Through a review of the literature, this paper explores the viability of the rotation of canonical correlation analysis results. The similarities and dissimilarities between factor analysis and canonical correlation analysis are examined. The logic supporting a preference for the rotation of structure coefficients as opposed to function…

An historical overview of investigations concerned with delineating the structure and composition of infant intellectual activity is presented. Earlier conceptualizations characterized infant intelligence as a unitary trait or factor. Recent studies contend that infant intellectual activity is comprised of varied sets of relatively independent…

The "factor" analyses published by Schultz, Kaye, and Hoyer (1980) confused component and factor analysis and led to unwarranted conclusions. The principal factors method yields two factors which support the a priori expectation of a difference between intelligence tasks and spontaneous flexibility tasks. (Author/RD)

The construct of general intelligence is discussed in the context of factor models, differential validity of tests, Piagetian tasks, heritability, social class, and race. The general factor is an abstraction resulting from genes, environmental pressures, and neural structures involved in cognitive or intellectual human behavior. (Author/RD)

Six sets of data from previous studies are used to investigate the factor structure of the Maslach Burnout Inventory. In all 6 sets, the 22 inventory items divided between 2 clearly replicable factors. The larger, the Core of Burnout Factor, divides in turn into two equally replicable factors. (SLD)

Defines playfulness in human-computer interactions in terms of flow theory and explores the dimensionality of the flow concept. Two studies are reported that investigated the factor structure and correlates of flow in human-computer interactions: one examined MBA students using Lotus 1-2-3 spreadsheet software, and one examined employees using…