Conceptualizations of self-directed learning have emphasized the social characteristics of learner isolation or social autonomy, neglecting the importance of pedagogical and psychological factors. However, psychological self-directedness or psychological control is the necessary and sufficient cause for self-directed learning and best…

Most students, no matter the age, tend to do better academic work if they more readily accept personal academic successes and failures or are internally controlled. Students generally not doing average or above average work academically tend to depend on blame, luck, chance, or kismet for academic performance. (Author)

A program of intervention called therapeutic tutoring to help underachievers is described. Intervention centers around students' loci of control, through a process of identifying areas in which students feel empowered and relating academic experiences to these areas. Academic exercises based on Monopoly, cricket, rugby, soap operas, field hockey,…