Discusses the role of extrinsic reinforcement in intrinsic motivation in cognitive attribution theory. Concludes that cognitive attribution theory lacks parsimony, in that extant reinforcement analysis can account for undermining with equal facility. Suggests undermining is of little significance due to its elusive and transient impact on operant…

Six theoretical positions on human learning are identified as relevant to the development of self-direction: modeling; reinforcement; curiosity motivation; competency motivation; attribution theory and personal causation; and humanism. Four approaches to educational practice associated with self-direction are identified: experimental learning;…

Hypothesis that externally oriented Black male subjects would view themselves as more Negro in appearance than they were judged by observers was tested by comparing subjects' and observers' judgments on scale of 15 faces which changed from Negro to Caucasian. Hypothesis was contradicted in 1968 study, supported in 1975. (Author/NRB)

Examined the relationship between spouses' (N=58) attributional styles for marital problems and their negative social reinforcement in a laboratory interaction procedure. Results indicated wives who attributed other couples' marital problems to undesirable personality traits or negative attitudes were more likely to verbally criticize their…

Studied the determinants of attributional modesty in women. Women tend to make modest attributions for success when concerned about how others would evaluate them and when concerned about their self-image. Self-derogatory attributions for failure occur when the subjects thought their attributions would be public. (Author/JAC)

Eight female fourth- and fifth-grade mathematics teachers, 69 of their middle-class pupils, and the pupils' parents were asked to indicate the extent to which each of 10 given causes influenced the pupil's grade. Their perceptions on teacher, pupil, and parent responsibility for success and failure are compared. (Author/SJL)

Children from a Catholic elementary school were interviewed to determine what they saw as probable causes for success or failure in four situations: a school testing situation an art project, playing football, and catching frogs. Causal explanations were found to differ across the four situations. (Author/GDC)

Results of two studies of teachers' attributions for school problems indicate that teachers hold student factors more responsible for classroom problems than teacher factors, and that teachers' attributions vary for learning v behavior problems. The second study also indicates that students perceived as lacking motivation were criticized more…

A research study examined whether the locus of control orientation of high school and junior high school students could be modified through the incorporation of prescribed activities within the routine of the regular classroom. (JN)

Learned helplessness is a state of passivity and loss of persistence resulting from individuals' perceptions, over a period of time, that they cannot control outcomes of events nor can their efforts lead to attainment of goals. Research studies are reviewed and implications for the study of learning disabilities are evaluated. (MH)

The present study is concerned with whether evaluations of actors by children (ages 6 and 11) and adults indicated by allocation of rewards for actors were based on additive, discounting, or augmentation principles. Results are discussed in terms of causal schemes underlying preconventional and conventional moral judgments and the use of…

Laboratory and a field studies contrasted the egotism and expectancy-covariance approaches to attribution for achievement outcomes. Subjects' expectations and the basis of these expectations were varied and outcomes were then manipulated. Results supported egotism, suggesting that motivational factors can determine attributions to ability and task…

Examines teachers' perceptions of pupil ability and determines whether their perceptions are distorted in any systematic way by the order or sequence of information they receive about the pupil. (Author/RK)

Draws from psychological insights provided by attribution theory to examine the quality of relationship between birth parents, foster carers, and social service professionals. Advocates training both foster carers and social workers toward developing a more tolerant view and, where possible, replacing blame with compassion based on appreciation of…

Uses five unusual indifference curve exercises to show how changing the jail sentence and changing the reward for good behavior can influence the crime rate. Recommends eliminating minimum sentencing while raising sentencing and increasing the rewards for good behavior. Includes illustrative graphs for each exercise. (MJP)