One of the most important functions of learning is the formation of identity. From a hermeneutical viewpoint the formation of ipse-identity is, to a large extent, based on the meaning of the learning experiences. The following questions guide our research: first, what meanings do Estonian and Finnish students gain from curricular facts? And…

"Time to Read" is a volunteer mentoring program that recruits volunteers from the local business community to spend one hour of company time each week working on a one-to-one basis with primary school children aged 8 to 9 years with the aim of improving reading skills. The authors first evaluated the program in 2006-8 using a randomized…

The present research examined the effects of intrinsic and extrinsic goal attainment on older adults' ego-integrity, psychological well-being, and death attitudes. Hypotheses were derived from Self-Determination Theory (SDT; Deci & Ryan, 2000; Vansteenkiste, Ryan, & Deci, in press). Study 1 (N = 202, Mean age = 68.2 years) indicated that, after…

This study examined the relations between attitudes and cognitive functioning in 950 Israeli seventh grade students. In the lowest socioeconomic group, locus of control was the most potent attitude variable while in the higher socioeconomic groups, self-concept and aspirations were most strongly associated with cognitive functioning. (JMB)

Male subjects (N=96), defensive externals, congruent externals, and internals, participated in a level of aspiration task under either "game" or "test" instructions. As predicted, congruent externals showed significantly more realistic striving behavior in the test condition. (Author)

Several populations of both culturally deprived and culturally advantaged students were assessed on a standard measure of personality as well as several indices of personal aspirations. By measuring an individual difference variable in different social milieus, it was found that the variable made strikingly different predictions in different…

This study investigated the relationship of locus of control to the ideal and real occupational aspirations of adolescent females. Significant association was found between locus of control and ideal occupational aspiration and between locus of control and the presence or absence of discrepancy between ideal and real occupational aspiration.…

The purpose of the present study was to examine the relation of generalized and specific expectancies to actual academic performance. Thirty-five female and twenty-eight male fifth and sixth graders completed the Nowicki-Strickland locus of control scales and Rotter Level of Aspiration Board procedures. Results indicated that those, who perceived…

Used a simulated collective bargaining game characterized by interaction between bargaining teams to investigate effects of team locus of control on aspiration and bargaining outcomes. Results suggest the more internal a team's personal control beliefs, the more likely the team will not reach a negotiated settlement. (Author/JAC)

The present study on the influence of parental involvement on students' academic achievement overcame limitations in current research by including simultaneous considerations of multidimensional, longitudinal, mediational, and ethnic factors. Results indicated (a) significant ethnic differences in the direct effects of parental involvement on…

In this study with 240 introductory psychology students, ten interpretable independent dimensions of satisfaction with life were extracted with six factors that loaded on the PIL and four that loaded on the SONG, supporting Crumbaugh's assertion that the SONG is a complementary scale to the PIL. (Author/SJL)

Surveys of 371 European American, African American, Mexican American, Vietnamese American, and Armenian American adolescents in ethnically diverse high schools in Los Angeles found that most adolescents set high goals for the future and expected to reach them. Compared to European American adolescents, minority group adolescents attributed…

Utilizing data derived from 277 rural, male respondents initially enrolled in Lenawee County, Michigan high schools, the Rotter's Internal-External Locus of Control Scale was employed to test the hypothesis that locus of control will have interactive rather than additive effects on the process of status attainment. Locus of control was defined as…

The effects of a computer-assisted instruction (CAI) program in math on student attitudes of self-concept, locus of control, and level of aspiration was investigated. (Author)