Examined the effectiveness of an interpersonal life skills course on college students' (N=200) self concepts, responding, and locus of control. Results indicated there were short-term changes in locus of control. The need for a typology of such courses is discussed. (Author/BL)

This study examined the contribution of cognitively-oriented adjunct treatments to assertive training. Unassertive university students (N=42) were randomly assigned within an analysis of covariance design with three levels of treatment (Cognitive Self-Statement Training (CSST), Attribution Training (AT), and Behavioral Rehearsal (BR]. Multiple…

Three experiments were conducted to examine the effects of providing extrinsic rewards for engaging in an activity on children's subsequent intrinsic interest in that activity. In each study, preschool children were asked to engage in an activity of initial intrinsic interest in individual experimental sessions. The children agreed to engage in…

The notion that certain systems of reward may inhibit children's desire to participate in educational activities was investigated by reviewing recent research on intrinsic motivation. This research was critiqued from four theoretical perspectives: self-perception theory, personal causation, the overjustification hypothesis, and behavioral…

The assumptions individuals make about their personal behaviors have received extensive attention, particularly the concepts of locus of control and self-efficacy. An additional concept, change orientation, refers to assumptions about how to change personal behavior. Approximately 180 subjects ranging from college freshmen to graduate students…

Although the literature abounds with speculation about open education, there are few experimental studies designed to test its effects. This research compared an open education program with a traditional program at the middle school level. Subjects were randomly assigned to comparison groups. Dependent measures included a self-concept scale, a…

The question of whether special education students exhibit more learned helpless behavior and a more external locus of control than regular students is examined. The effects of these psychological conditions on school success are considered, and programs for alleviating learned helplessness and establishing a more internal locus of control are…

This selective bibliography contains references to 76 ERIC documents and journal articles on the subject of behavior modification in the preschool and elementary school classroom. A total of 36 entries were taken from "Research in Education" (RIE), 1969 through 1974, and 36 entries were taken from "Current Index to Journals in Education" (CIJE),…

The Adventures in Attitudes (AIA) program is a 30-hour structured experiential seminar developed to help participants create positive attitudes and overcome negative ones. Effectiveness of AIA in promoting a positive self concept and moving an individual from an external to an internal locus of control was investigated. Adult subjects (N=6) in the…

Students with learning disabilities tend to hold an external locus of control for success but an internal locus of control for failure. Attribution feedback, combined with particular task strategies, can lead children to persist longer, acquire adaptive attributions, and make greater academic achievement gains. Attribution instruction can be…

A student leadership program was implemented in an elementary school to increase the social value of constructive (appropriate) classroom behavior and to generate more positive pupil attitudes toward self and school. The specific aims of the intervention were to reduce the disruptive, negative behavior of some socially powerful students while…

Maintaining "locus of control" is a significant variable for educators, human resource personnel, and employment counselors dealing with the chronically unemployed, or the underemployed disadvantaged or handicapped workers, this article describes 10 techniques related to change of locus of control and development of more responsible and successful…

Health behaviors of all students, including adolescents, have direct impact upon both personal well being and actualization of potential for maximum learning. This paper reviews examples of concrete health behaviors that both positively and negatively influence the two factors, and summarizes present objectives for the nation in the health…

This study determined the effects of using truant and tardy junior high school learning-disabled students as tutors for younger learning-disabled pupils. After six weeks of tutoring, most of the 16 tutors showed a significant increase toward an internal orientation of locus of control and a decrease in truant/tardy behaviors. (Author/JDD)

Through an intensive 19 day outdoor experience of backpacking, hiking, rock climbing, and white water canoeing, the Connecticut Wilderness School has provided a novel therapeutic approach for problem youth referred by a wide variety of state agencies. To determine if participants in this program become more internally oriented, develop a higher…