Analysis of 5 waves of panel data on over 2,000 males from 10th grade to 5 years after high school found that self-esteem was quite stable over time and was related to shared decision making in the family and intrinsic motivation in school. Findings were mixed with respect to the work sphere. Contains 131 references. (SV)

Presents findings from the field test of 261 adolescents with mild mental retardation and learning disabilities on a student self-report measure of self-determination. The four primary domains of the scale were autonomy, self-regulation, psychological empowerment, and self-realization. The utility of the scale for instructional and research…

Explores the exact meaning of the locus of control construct and differentiates it from key constructs in the personal control literature. Clarifies the meaning of a number of constructs and advocates an approach to counseling which recognizes the heuristic and therapeutic value of employing such constructs in an integrated fashion. (RJM)

A teacher used selected parts of the Autonomous Learner Model with 24 Hispanic first-graders, half of whom were English-language learners, to promote the educational progress of all of the children and find potentially gifted children. Students quickly learned independence, responsibility, resourcefulness, and higher order thinking skills. Several…

Examines the possible influence of locus of control orientation and its relationship to critical aptitudes and developmental variables. Studies six discriminator variables in order to predict an understanding of the nature of science among preservice elementary teachers with respect to locus of control orientation. (CW)

One hundred thirteen undergraduates completed measures of career decision-making (CDM) self-efficacy, career locus of control, CDM attitudes, and CDM skills. Results proved the self-efficacy theory superior to the locus of control model in predicting college students' CDM attitudes. No significant gender differences emerged among the variables.…

This study of five gifted female adolescents examined their male-female relationships, independence, perceptions of ability and expectations for success, overreliance on social manipulation, motivation, ethic of caring, superwoman syndrome, and familial influences. The study found positive examples of the use of problem-solving strategies; it also…

Reviews and discusses the debate between the traditional psychoanalytic perspective on separation-individuation and the newer "rational" view of self-development. Finds each have equal importance both for understanding psychopathology and for providing effective and empathically-attuned psychotherapy. Provides clinical vignettes derived…

Examined the self-protective role of social attributions by comparing individual attributions made to the self, to one's ethnic group, and to factors external to oneself. Results from 309 Black, Hispanic, and White mothers show they all attributed positive outcomes to themselves, while Whites attributed failure to themselves personally. Middle-…

The widely accepted theory that college participation is a "rite of passage," where academic and social integration is required for student persistence, is criticized as misinterpreting anthropological notions of ritual and holding consequences harmful for racial and ethnic minorities. An approach focusing on emancipation and empowerment is…

Examined discrepancies in mothers' and adolescents' perceptions of decision making and behavioral autonomy. Discrepancies in decision-making judgments led to a high level of conflict. Discrepancies between adolescents' desire for and mothers' granting of autonomy led to a high conflict level and adolescent adjustment difficulties. (BC)

If literacy is to increase the autonomy and social standing of previously illiterate persons rather than to domesticate and further subordinate them, reading and writing must be imbued with genuine empowering potential. A case study from rural Nicaragua, set against an account of adult literacy for revolutionary change, is presented. (37…

Discusses student responses to a fourth grade teacher's efforts to engage students in social action. Indicates that most students felt they could be passive good citizens and that social action would fail anyway. Argues that schools need to promote active citizenship. Examines an alternative model of citizenship education that promotes individual…

This paper explores the unique developmental elements that impact on adolescents who are African American and deaf. It addresses development of autonomy, identity issues, self-image and self-esteem, positive role models, family life, sexuality, and transition from adolescence to adulthood. (JDD)

The Consent Screening Interview was developed to enable consumers with mental retardation to express views and preferences about community residential placements and indicate to service providers their ability to give informed consent. Analysis of content and construct validity and interrater reliability, involving 69 subjects, revealed that the…