This research examined how motivation (perceived control, intrinsic motivation, and extrinsic motivation), cognitive learning strategies (deep and surface strategies), and intelligence jointly predict long-term growth in students' mathematics achievement over 5 years. Using longitudinal data from six annual waves (Grades 5 through 10;…

To determine whether adolescents interpret parental behavioral and psychological control differently, type, level, and domain of control were manipulated across 3 interpretations (adolescents' competence, mattering to parents, and parental intrusiveness). As expected, adolescents (N = 67, M = 14.25 years) generally interpreted high levels of…

Investigates the effects of child controllability on adult assertiveness, as moderated by adult control perceptions. Four boys (aged seven to nine), trained to be responsive or unresponsive, interacted in adult-child dyads on a toy construction task with 32 women. (Author/SS)

The contraceptive effectiveness of 155 single women between 15 and 25 years of age was found to be significantly and negatively related to a means-end problem-solving ability and a belief in internal control and significantly and positively related to a belief in chance control. (JMB)

Young children watched videotaped fairy tales that involved child or adult control over frightening events. Subsequently, they watched a videotape of a child having a medical exam. Children who had watched the child control fairy tales showed an enhancement, whereas children who had watched the adult control fairy tales showed a deficit, in…

Developmental changes in conditions engendering pride and embarrassment were explored. Among other results, developmental change was found in the standards used to evaluate emotional experiences; references to social comparison increased with age and references to mastery decreased. (PCB)

A total of 309 children were divided into eight groups on the basis of their Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test scores. The Nowicki-Strickland Locus of Control (LOC) Scale and the Children's Psychological Conservatism Scale were administered. Findings indicate a curvilinear relationship between verbal ability and the reliability of the LOC scale. (RH)

Attempts to reevaluate the reliability characteristics of two scales used frequently in studies of children's locus of control; the Bialer scale and the Nowicki-Strickland scale. The study replicated and expanded upon earlier research by examining a wider range of grade levels and measures of children's locus of control expectancies. (Author/RH)

Using an open-ended questionnaire, 236 fifth- and sixth-grade pupils attributed their success or failure on a test given in their classroom to eight different causes. Results indicated that the pupils tended to attribute success mainly to external causes and failure mainly to internal causes. (JMB)

Motivationally distinct forms of child compliance, mutually positive affect, and maternal control were observed as correlates of internalization in 103 mother-toddler dyads. Found that children who shared positive affect with their mothers showed a high level of committed compliance and were also more internalized. Maternal "Do's" appeared more…

Mothers' and fathers' cultural socialization and bias preparation with older (M=13.9 years) and younger (M=10.31 years) siblings were studied in 162 two-parent, African American families. Analyses examined whether parental warmth and offspring age and gender were linked to parental practices and whether parents' warmth, spouses' racial…

Examined predictors and sequelae of homesickness in 293 boys, ages 8 to 16 years, who spent two weeks at an overnight camp. Found that the "homesick disposition" and little prior separation together accounted for 69% of the variance in self-reported homesickness. Interpersonal attitudes and perceived control predicted 70% of the variance…

Among low-income women, Black teenage and White adult mothers' social ties to significant others were found to influence parenting skill. Black adult mothers' parenting skill was predicted only by locus of control. (RH)

Tested whether intrinsic motivation depends on matching cognitive level and task demands and assessed effects of rewards and praise on intrinsic motivation. Children preferred tasks just beyond their ability levels. Praise had mixed effects: rewards decreased intrinsic motivation among highly motivated children but did not influence intrinsic…