Compared to 45 normally achieving students, 45 learning disabled six- to 12-year-olds had lower self-concepts, more external locus of control orientations, and lower performance expectations. Children new to the resource room had higher expectations for future success than Ss with experience in the resource room. (CL)

Affective development was investigated in 81 learning disabled (LD) and 81 normal achieving (control) children in grades 3-6. The Students' Perception of Ability Scale and the Projected Academic Performance Scale were used to assess academic self-concept and future achievement expectations. Academic locus of control was tapped by the Intellectual…

Children in grades 3-6 labeled learning disabled, behaviorally disordered, and learning disabled with significant behavioral disorders (total N=78) were assessed for locus of control. Children labeled learning disabled were found to be significantly more internally controlled than children labeled behaviorally disordered or than children labeled…

Thirty-six teachers and 162 elementary children in classes for specific learning difficulties (SLD) participated in a five week classroom attribution training program in one of three groups: mild frustration, success only, and control. Experimental training resulted in significant increase in ask persistence; no changes were noted in achievement…

Examined the effect of Systematic Training for Effective Parenting (STEP) on the attitudes of 38 parents of learning disabled children. Results indicated that parents participating in STEP became more accepting and trusting than controls, and their children's locus of control became more internal. (JAC)

Twenty-nine third and fourth grade learning disabled children's attributions for success and failure were examined. Results indicated that Ss did not always interpret successes as reflecting something positive about themselves. Nor did they view failure as something that could be overcome with effort. (Author/CL)

This study with 37 learning-disabled (LD) elementary-age children found that LD children were lower in perceived cognitive competence and academic self-regulation than nondisabled control groups but were comparable to low achieving children. LD children were also likely to perceive academic outcomes as controlled by powerful others. (Author/DB)

Examined the effectiveness of group counseling, focusing on elimination of self defeating behaviors in 60 learning disabled children. Results of pre- and posttest measures indicated that compared to controls, children in the counseling group had higher aspirations, lower anxiety, and significantly higher internal locus of control scores. (JAC)

Two studies examined underachieving and control children's beliefs about the causes of their successes and failures. In Study 1, children (N=186) were administered a scale measuring locus of control in achievement situations. In Study 2, children rated the importance of ability, effort, task difficulty, and luck for success and failure in reading,…

Locus of control had substantial overlap with intelligence, but not with achievement. Analysis suggested that cognitive style and locus of control did not make an appreciable addition to the prediction by IQ scores alone of achievement in second and third grade learning disabled females. (Author)

The perceptions of parents and teachers of 24 children with learning disabilities regarding their children's or students' locus of control (LC) orientation were compared to the LC orientation held by the children themselves. While no significant differences were found between parents and children, teachers perceived students as more internally…

A literature review reveals that learning disabled children are more likely than normal achievers to attribute successes, but not failures, to external factors. The implications of locus of control for the field of learning disabilities are discussed in terms of its relation to academic achievement, learned helplessness, and remediation programs.…

The research literature on learned helplessness in exceptional children is reviewed and the authors' efforts to identify and retrain learning disabled (LD) children who have characteristics typical of learned helplessness are reported. Twenty-eight elementary aged LD children viewed as "learned helpless" were randomly assigned to one of four…

Regular class (grades 3-6) teachers' (N=29) perceptions of the teachability of learning disabled students mainstreamed in their classes were assessed. Although neither student IQ nor achievement predicted teachers' perceptions, the student personality variables of self concept and locus of control did predict variance in perceived teachability.…