The purpose of this study was to propose and test a motivational model of persistence in science education. The model posits that science teachers' support of students' autonomy positively influences students' self-perceptions of autonomy and competence. These self-perceptions, in turn, have a positive impact on students' self-determined…

Recent social influence research utilizing psychological reactance theory (J. W. Brehm, 1966) has focused on how reactance motivates message rejection due to threats to perceived freedoms posed by controlling language. Although reactance has been shown to increase message rejection and source derogation, persuasive appeals employing alternative…

Perinatal HIV infection in the US continues to evolve from a fatal pediatric illness to a chronic medical condition of childhood and adolescence. Although navigating this period is influenced by multi-leveled deprivations commonly experienced by low-income minority families, HIV alters the timing and experience of developmental milestones for many…

This study applied self-determination theory to investigate the effects of students' autonomous motivation and their perceptions of teacher autonomy support on need satisfaction adjustment, learning achievement, and cardiorespiratory fitness over a 4-month personal conditioning unit. Participants were 253 urban adolescents (121 girls and 132 boys,…

A graduate student in a language program finds himself running out of reasons to write. He has been gaining a power of words but has been losing something at the same time, some autonomy or sense of community, of place, of being "somebody." Having spent several years teaching in a public high school, he returned to the university to…

This compilation of materials offers an overview paper and an annotated bibliography on self-determination. The overview paper on self-advocacy for individuals with developmental disabilities, authored by Michael Kennedy and Patricia Killius, presents a definition of self-advocacy, notes that poor communication skills should not prevent an…

Power is the capacity of an individual to self-determine his or her life and to participate in the creation of an appropriate environment for that life. The exercise of personal power is necessary to develop one's unique potential, and it is necessary if society is to benefit from contributions and participation of all its members. In an effort to…

As leading languages spoken all over the world, a number of learning and teaching sites or pages on the Internet specifically concerning the teaching of English, French, German and Spanish are available. A review of these sites shows that they have low standards as opposed to language teaching CD-ROMs. Generally speaking, affected largely from the…

For homeless children, assuming responsibility for their own survival is an act of self-empowerment. However, society tends to see these children as victims to be rescued, delinquents who need to be disciplined, or else they are ignored. These views deny the resourcefulness of children who survive under these conditions. A study was conducted of…

There is nothing in American society to prepare women for aging. It has been proposed that the status that the aged hold in any culture diminishes when modernization, an increased number and proportion of elderly, or rapid social change is present. All three of these conditions exist in American society. Women face many dangers, especially as they…

The final manual of a series on attendant care for severely disabled persons is intended to help persons with a disability to hire and manage personal care attendants (PCAs). Models--private and shared systems--are reviewed, and advantages and disadvantages of each noted. Suggestions for interviewing and hiring PCAs include guidelines for…

Responsibilities of residents of long term care facilities are central to their autonomy and also set limits on their autonomy. It is important to assist residents to assume responsibilities and to express autonomy. Nursing home rules affecting residents need revision to accurately reflect resident responsibilities. Recognition of responsibilities…

Commissioned scholarly papers and undertook anthropologic observation to examine legal and ethical issues for patients, family, and caregivers during discharge planning. Proposed policy suggestions in which conflicting interests were recognized but in which patients' rights to autonomous decision making in discharge planning were strongly…

Jurisprudence is viewed from the perspective that legal argument is the process of creating the field of law through restatement rather than rule application. (MSE)

Discusses the use of power by principals and teachers' perceptions of the principal's power. A study of elementary principals in North Dakota and Minnesota identifies seven power strategies used by principals: assertiveness, ingratiation, rationality, sanctions, exchange, upward appeal, and coalitions. Includes nine references. (MD)