This study examined the second language (L2) development of adult learners of Spanish at three levels of proficiency during and after a semester of instruction. A fundamental goal was to identify cognitive and psychosocial individual differences (IDs) that can explain between-learner variation over time in order to expand our understanding of the…

Measured the internal consistency reliability of the Holmes Am Scale in discriminating alcoholics (N=39) from college students (N=77). Results showed the Holmes Am Scale displayed low internal consistency reliability but did not discriminate significantly between the two groups. The Am Scale was related moderately to alcohol use among students…

A number of researchers have described individual differences in achievement goals and performance standards. To explore similarities and differences in these theories, and to provide an instrument to measure them, 273 female and 88 male college students responded to items designed to measure each of the dimensions defined by these theories. The…

Psychologists and laymen alike often use the terms "shame" and "guilt" interchangeably. Guilt is an affective state most often associated with a focus on some past behaviors which the subject finds inconsistent with a set of internalized standards which are often, but not necessarily moral in nature. Shame involves less of a…

Discusses Johnson's decision-making theory that information can be gathered in a systematic or spontaneous manner and analyzed either externally or internally. Applies the theory to the helping relationship, assesses the styles of a decision-making inventory, and attempts to determine the reliability and validity of the inventory. (JAC)

Examined the relationship between personality and psychopathology using the Multivariate Personality Inventory (MPI) (N=100). Results showed significant differences among groups, which indicates that the personality groups as defined by the MPI in a normal population perform as would be predicted from work with pathological groups. (JAC)

A new 22-item measure of an individual's tolerance for ambiguity, the Multiple Stimulus Types Ambiguity Tolerance (MSTAT-I), is described. The measure addresses characteristics of ambiguous stimuli and reactions to perceived ambiguity. Evidence from 148 undergraduates for reliability and convergent and discriminant validity is presented in support…

Several issues about component validity are examined by using covariance modeling to test hypotheses about the relationships between components, aptitude, and achievement. Support was found for cognitive components to model individual differences in verbal aptitude, decompose test validity, and differentially predict achievement. (Author/GK)

Eighty undergraduates were administered four self-report locus of control inventories, in order to evaluate the convergent and discriminant validity of four categories common to these inventories: chance, fate, personal control, and powerful others. The four inventories were: (1) Internal, Powerful Others and Chance scales; (2) James Internal…

Historically, theories of personality development assigned prominence to the construct of autonomy, which often represented a developmental endpoint. To develop and validate an observer measure of autonomy and to further describe the dynamics underlying the personality and behavior of autonomous individuals, a 10-item scale (Auto CQ) was developed…

Recent trends in college admissions are discussed in terms of their influence test validation procedures. In particular, the effects of new college admission practices are considered with respect to the problem of validating placement tests. Traditional test validation techniques are reviewed and compared to the needs specific to placement tests;…

The usefulness of short-term behavioral criteria as a technique for validating vocational needs and interests inventories is investigated. An empirical example demonstrates the usefulness of the technique. (Author/JKS)

Used data from a college classroom to demonstrate the value of taking student learning styles into consideration when designing and revising a course. Learning styles were assessed in 58 students using the Inventory of Learning Processes. Casual path analyses revealed relationships between certain evaluation components and certain learning styles.…

The traditional method of measuring self-esteem has been to construct instruments based on their face validity, even though this approach has been shown to involve many difficulties when deriving scales for subjective dimensions such as self-esteem. An alternative approach to the measurement of self-esteem is based on techniques of psychophysical…

The differences between edumetric and psychometric uses of tests were described and the relevance of the edumetric dimension for measuring student learning gains, especially in the context of individualized instruction involving multiple learning mode options, was clarified. Also, the procedures for edumetric reliability and validation assessment…