Adaptive forms of weighted structural regression are developed and discussed. Bootstrapping studies indicate that the new methods have potential to recover known population regression weights and predict criterion score values routinely better than do ordinary least squares methods. The new methods are scale free and simple to compute. (SLD)

Compared scores on Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) and Noncognitive Questionnaire (NCQ) to examine their ability to predict academic success of student-athletes. Findings from 105 incoming first-year athletes revealed that noncognitive variables were better predictors of grades for athletes than were SAT scores. Suggests that athletes be considered…

Young adults with learning disabilities were divided into two groups: successful (n=29) and unsuccessful (n=21). Variables discriminating the groups (verbal intelligence quotient, length of enrollment, and math achievement discrepancy) did not accurately predict group membership. Qualitative analyses revealed personal attitudes and behaviors and…

Two studies analyzed the effects of preceding setting events on the problem behavior of 2 students (ages 20 and 22) with severe disabilities. Results indicated that the occurrence of preceding setting events was related to higher frequencies of problem behavior, and interventions designed to eliminate preceding setting events were consistently…

This study of the automatic word and sign recognition of 66 hearing and deaf adults found that responding in sign took longer and created more Stroop interference than responding orally, independent of hearing status. Deaf subjects showed greater automaticity in recognizing signs than words, whereas hearing subjects showed greater automaticity in…

Controlling for early sensorimotor differences, found that high levels of distress and anger expressed by children at age three months predicted low cognitive scores at four years. Controlling for early emotional and sensorimotor differences, found that high levels of maternal responsiveness in the same group of children predicted high cognitive…

Finds that current-affairs knowledge among journalism students was correlated to newspaper use but that, when student self-efficacy was taken into account, newspaper use no longer served as a robust predictor of current-affairs knowledge. (SR)

Examines research on career indecision through review of literature on variables consistently investigated as predictors of career indecision and tools incorporated to measure career indecision. Raises eight issues that would impact on evaluation efforts in area of career indecision. Encourages practitioners to test validity of mental models that…

Analysis of data on 101 entering proprietary college students found that (1) predictors of initial achievement were entrance exam scores, gender, race, age, grade point average, and expectations; (2) dropout predictors were marital status, work hours, prior achievement, absences, and faculty interaction; and (3) age, gender, race, and children did…

Examined predictors of stability and change in informal support networks of frail elders and primary caregivers. Data from 1982 and 1984 National Long Term Care Surveys and 1982 Informal Caregivers Survey revealed that changes in network size and intensity of help occurred in response to changes in health and functional status of frail elder, not…

Using all freshmen who entered the Millersburg University Department of Industry and Technology (1981-86) a system was created that could identify incoming students who would most likely have difficulty attaining a 2.5 grade point average at the end of the sophomore year. The process should provide a model for construction of a prediction…

This 3-year study, with 150 deaf children, found that 2 sets of 4 tests accounted for 64 percent of variance in both reading and writing skills for subjects with deaf parents. For subjects with hearing parents, five tests accounted for 77 percent of variance in reading, but only two tests accounted for 49 percent of variance in writing. (DB)

College dormitory residents (n=160) were surveyed concerning their alcohol use, social influences, attitudes and beliefs about alcohol, personality characteristics, and demographic information. Subjects were reinterviewed two years later. Regression equations indicated utility of several variables in predicting self-reports of alcohol consumption,…

Two series of experiments investigate two hypotheses that may explain a conflict regarding pronomial reference. The hypothesis accepted is that the use of the gender cue is under the reader's strategic control; the hypothesis rejected is that implicit causality and gender cue interact differently with the complexity of the inference needed to link…

Reviews research on quantitative and qualitative indexes of play, and relationships between play and language. Finds consistent relationships between duration and level of play throughout early development, and parallel developments in play and language. Indicates that measures of spontaneous activity and habituation in infancy predict…