The aim of this study was to understand why some students avoid seeking help when they find classwork difficult. We employed a qualitative methodology to discover the theories in use that described and explained what high school students did and did not do when they did not understand in math classes. After 5 classroom observations of students'…

Patterns of motivation and social behavior among children working in pairs at microcomputers were investigated over 4 months by observing 53 male and 42 female kindergarten students and 4 female teachers. Almost no gender differences were apparent. Results suggest that introducing computers at this age might reduce the predominance of male…

Relations of social-goal pursuit to social acceptance by teachers and peers, prosocial and irresponsible classroom behavior, and perceived support from teachers and peers were examined for 475 sixth and seventh graders. Findings reflected, in part, significant relationships between social-goal pursuit and displays of social behavior. (SLD)

Attention during reading lessons was explored for 116 second and third graders (60 males and 56 females). Some of the concurrent and antecedent factors that influence attention were investigated. Oral reading errors undermine attention. Nominal reading group membership is more strongly related to attention than individual fluency and comprehension…

Effects of mothers' need for approval on children's expectancies for success and persistence during failure were studied for 90 fifth graders attempting to solve 4 puzzles, 3 of which were unsolvable. Parental and situational variables affect children's achievement cognitions and behavior. Implications for parental socialization of achievement are…