Students from thirteen middle school science classes participated in this study to determine their formal reasoning ability and locus of control. Students were observed through a sequence of lessons for their classroom behavior. Results indicated that achievement was related to high formal reasoning ability, attention to instruction, and internal…

Data from the National Longitudinal Study (NLS) for a sample of students who had completed a four-year college course were examined for difference in locus of control (LOC) and self concept (SC) of persisters and changers in six college majors. Data were based on two four-item five-point questionnaire scales which were administered in 1972, 1973,…

Sex and ethnic differences in the use of social power were investigated using role theoretical and attributional perspectives. Performance and self-attribution processes of power usage were related to ascribed versus achieved role characteristics. One hundred and sixty subjects, equal numbers of Chicano and Anglo males and females, participated as…

The relationships of children's perceptions of the causes of academic success or failure to achievement behavior and to reading ability were examined using two measures: Crandall's Intellectual Achievement Responsibility Scale (IAR), and a measure of students' causal attributions relating to performance of a single, specific task. Subjects were…

Systematic investigations have verified the existence of a number of behavioral manifestations of the "Type A" behavior pattern. For example, brief exposure to salient uncontrollable stress has led to enhanced performance by Type A's on a subsequent task, whereas prolonged exposure has lead to performance deterioration. The ongoing experiences of…

Many psychological theories point to the importance of siblings in individual personality development. The impact of sibling status on interpersonal and achievement orientation was examined with undergraduates (N=1782) who completed a series of objective personality measures and a background questionnaire. Sibling status was defined in terms of…

The purpose of this study was to determine whether children with differing cognitive abilities can benefit from differing educational environments. The investigation was specifically concerned with two questions: (1) Are there differences in the mathematics achievement between children with an internal or external locus of control in both open and…

Socio-psychological research concerning the relationship between attributions and coping with negative events unrelated to marriage suggests two constructs, blame and perceived control, which may influence conflict resolution in marriage. Married women (N=32) were interviewed in an investigation of attributions of control and blame for marital…

Described is a program entitled "Creating a Safe Space," designed to remove consciously the major elements which contribute to college students' experiences and feelings that they are victims of extended controls. The course is described as: (1) an experience of both the removal of extended controls and evaluations and the addition of a new…

Teachers from 34 states and Canada responded to a request to describe teaching practices that give students minor or major decision making responsibilities. Different structures used by teachers to provide students opportunities to practice decision making across the school years from first grade to high school are described in this report.…

The Los Nietos Basic Skills Program was the first program of computer assisted instruction funded by the Emergency School Aid Act (ESAA). The system initially supported 17 typewriter-style terminals, but the number was later increased to 24. Because of software problems, the system changed companies and the courses changed to the following:…

The Los Nietos School District in Los Angeles was the first school in the United States that had its basic skills program supported through intensive use of computers. Through fundings under the Emergency School Aid Act (ESAA), the program is embarking on its third year. The system initially supported 17 typewriter-style terminals, but before the…

One experiment investigated the relationship of goal setting and locus of control to the work performance of mentally retarded adults and a second experiment was a semi-replication study done on college adults. Two main effects were studied: (1) Method of goal setting (whether a worker set his own goal, had a goal set by a supervisor, or simply…

Developed as part of a project designed to provide a synthesis of the literature and practice relating to the career education of disadvantaged students, this review is intended to inform teachers about research and techniques for motivating disadvantaged students. Section I discusses the nature of motivation and describes the basic human needs…

A study was undertaken to determine the degree and nature of expectancy of reinforcement in high school underachievers, and to evaluate a method for modifying the internal versus external expectancies which relate to motivation for achievement and attainment of success. A computer instructional program was used to impart immediate reinforcement…