Study investigated the effects of assertion training on 36 female college students. The experimental group showed an increase in assertiveness, internal locus of control, and self-concept, as well as a reduction in anxiety. (RB)

Forty children aged nine to twelve years who exhibited moderate to high dental anxiety were randomly assigned to a group rehearsing coping strategies for stress and anxiety or to a placebo condition. The coping condition was more effective than the placebo in reducing self-report anxiety. (Author/LHW)

Compared to 45 normally achieving students, 45 learning disabled six- to 12-year-olds had lower self-concepts, more external locus of control orientations, and lower performance expectations. Children new to the resource room had higher expectations for future success than Ss with experience in the resource room. (CL)

Three groups of subjects were selected, two recognized gifted education approaches and a control. The data presented no evidence that self-concept is sufficiently sensitive for identifying gifted elementary students, whereas locus of control might be utilized as a method for identifying gifted youngsters because of its discriminating potential.…

Fourth and fifth grade girls observed a reward, punishment, or neutral outcome to a game played by a person who chose to or was forced to play. Children, who observed the punished model, appreciated her lack of deservingness. Results were interpreted in terms of the just-world hypothesis. (ST)

A study of 158 students reveals that the learning-disabled students perceive their locus of control to be significantly more external than do their non-disabled counterparts. (Author/MLF)

The authors describe (1) common stresses and problems of older adults; (2) coping strategies used; and (3) relationships among types of stresses, strategies, and perceptions of coping effectiveness. They found that allowing older persons to define stress in terms meaningful to them leads to greater understanding of life in old age. (SK)

The contraceptive effectiveness of 155 single women between 15 and 25 years of age was found to be significantly and negatively related to a means-end problem-solving ability and a belief in internal control and significantly and positively related to a belief in chance control. (JMB)

Examines the impact of experiential exercises, combined with a traditional smoking cessation intervention, on quit rates and social learning theory variables known to impact smoking cessation. Measures of self-efficacy and locus of control did not significantly differ between the experimental and control conditions. Quit rates did not differ…

Investigates commonly cited experiential qualities (internal locus, volition, perceived choice) to propose a model of the essential nature of perceived self-determination in intrinsic motivation. Results supported model in which internal locus and volition, but not perceived choice, constitute valid indicators of self-determination. Discusses…

Examined whether perceived control over settlement process during divorce is related to degree of conflict reported by divorcing parents. Interviewed divorcing couples with children (n=190 families) soon after filing for divorce. Analyses indicated that parents' (especially fathers') perceived control was related to reports of interparental…

Vietnam combat veterans who had posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD, N=25), were anxious (N=7), or were healthy (N=18) completed psychometric test battery. PTSD subjects differed significantly from healthy subjects on almost all measures but showed fewer differences from anxious subjects. Typical PTSD subject was characterized as anxious,…

Examined effects of 12-week aerobic exercise program on psychological well-being and cognitive functioning in 48 urban older adults. Subjects were randomly assigned to aerobic group, social activity group, or waiting list group. Results indicated little change in psychological well-being and provided limited support for association of…

Suggests that one's worldview determines perception of conflict and that internal locus of control would be more meaningful in terms of conflict resolution. Sees personal boundaries as context for conflicts and as individual constructions of cultural expectations. Develops transformative model in which individual transformations, especially in…

Reid and Zeigler's Desired Control Measure (DCM); Levenson's Internal, Powerful Other, and Chance Locus of Control scales, Life Satisfaction Index; and Affect Balance Scale were completed by 363 older adults. The DCM apparently does not primarily tap locus of control and would be more appropriately used as a measure of individuals' perceptions of…