Sixth-grade children classified as high or low in self-concept were given an achievement task on which they succeeded or failed. High, more than low, self-concept children attributed their success to the skill cue. High self-concept children also engaged in more self-reward for success. (Author/RD)

Fifth-grade students classified as high or low in self-concept were paired in an achievement-related task in which one succeeded and one failed. High self-concept children attributed success more to their high ability and engaged in more positive self-reinforcement than did low self-concept children. Results were discussed within an attribution…

Fifth-grade boys solved sets of achievement-related puzzles, working in pairs in which one succeeded and one failed. Results showed the reward structure of the performance setting was an important determinant of self and interpersonal evaluations. Competitive conditions caused self-punitive behavior for failure outcomes and some ego-enhancing…

The purpose of this study was to examine children's cognitive-attributional and affective response patterns within competitive and individualistic goal structures. Findings showed that effort attributions covaried with outcome in the individualistic structure, whereas luck and outcome covaried in the competitive structure. (Author/GK)

Studies involving puzzle-solving in competitive, cooperative, and individual settings demonstrate that children's reactions to their own and other's success and failure are strongly influenced by the reward contingencies offered. Reward structures have different implications for children differing in self-concept level. Implications for the…

Three systems of motivation (ability-evaluative, task mastery, and moral responsibility) and their implicit value orientations shared by students and teachers are defined. This qualitative perspective relates to distinct cognition networks, involving goals and values, attributions, and strategy beliefs. Student motivation and teacher motivation…

The effects of cooperative and competitive reward structures on children's attributions and effective reactions to success and failure were examined. Results showed that competitive contingencies accentuated the differences in self-other perceptions and cooperative contingencies minimized these differences. (Author/GK)

An achievement situation describing two children successfully and unsuccessfully performing task in competitive, cooperative, and individualistic reward structures was presented to 400 children across five grade levels. Results showed that different evaluative beliefs about the concepts of ability and reward allocation were associated with each…

Fifth and sixth graders performed at a high or low level on a novel achievement task within a competitive or individual goal structure. The type and frequency of children's thoughts were assessed. Children made more ability attributions in the competitive condition and more effort attributions in the individual condition. (Author/BS)