This study explored in a sample of 560 high level education students their judgment formation to perceived self-efficacy to solve mathematical tasks. Students had to read 36 experimental vignettes describing educative scenarios to learn mathematics. Each scenario presented four manipulated pieces of information (learning modality, task difficulty,…

This study investigated the influence of regular structured writing about problem solving on college algebra students' locus of control, flexibility of articulation, and accuracy in responding to written problem tasks. The writing assignments, acronym PSOLVE, provided students a framework for expressing their thoughts about mathematical actions,…

Suggests that a model of learned helplessness must give equal weight to motivational and cognitive components. Subjects were 102 female and 58 male college students in psychology classes. (MP)

Evaluation of the attribution of cause and solution for personal problems of 319 deaf college students found that (1) attribution tended to vary as a function of the type of problem; and (2) that subjects were more disposed to internality than externality for both cause and solution. (DB)

Describes two studies that assessed the strength of the relationship between the appraisal of one's problem solving effectiveness and depressive symptomatology among college undergraduates. Results indicated that all three problem-solving dimensions were significant predictors of depressive symptoms. The depressed group appraised their…

Past research has shown that the way one walks reflects one's personality traits and mood states. A study was conducted to examine whether the way one walks can reciprocally affect one's mood. The study tested the hypothesis that walking vigorously would cause a person to feel happier, and that a shuffling walk would cause a person to feel more…

Life planning workshop volunteers were randomly distributed into four independent groups. The problem of obtaining separate-sample controls when all participants participate in the experimental treatment was solved. Workshop participation significantly facilitated achievement of life planning goals. Utility of the Rotter I-E scale as an instrument…

Examined whether performance on scales reflecting problem-solving dimensions of personality could predict ego-strength in college students (n=348). Findings did not support statistically significant relationship between all problem-solving scales and ego-strength. Individually, evidence supported hypothesis that ego-strength can be predicted from…

Describes a program for training people to apply generic problem-solving techniques to personal problems. Male student volunteers (N=64) were assigned to a training group or no-training control group. The training group achieved a higher standard in their bachelor's degrees and developed an increased belief in internal control. (Author/JAC)

How successfully a student responds to the stresses of college life depends on several factors, including the time of onset, the degree of perceived threat, and the student's repertoire of coping skills. This study was conducted to determine if personal adaptability or ego-strength in college students could be predicted from knowledge of…

A study investigated the influence of perceived time management, operationalized as perceived control over time, as a coping strategy among 164 college students, and its effect on valued student outcomes. Results indicate lower levels of stress and higher levels of academic performance, problem-solving ability, and health in students perceiving…

Research directed toward a better understanding of the computer user/computer machine relationship has increased in recent years. To identify what factors may predict success in computer programming, 286 college students from three computer classes (160 from introductory programming; 60 from Cobol programming; and 66 from senior level programming)…

Studies in the past have shown that reinforcements independent of the subjects actions may induce a feeling of helplessness. Most experiments on learned helplessness have led researchers to believe that uncontrollability (non-contingency of feedback upon response) was the determining feature of learned helplessness, although in most studies…