Examined age and gender differences in leadership aspirations among adolescents (N=130) by measuring overall leadership aspirations, valence-instrumentality expectancies for leadership outcomes, self-efficacy perceptions, and attributions of effective leadership. Found significant gender differences in valence scores and age differences in…

Examined differences in self-concept, attributions, and teacher-related persistence in students with learning disabilities (N=49) and in nonhandicapped students (N=57). Results indicated students with learning disabilities reported lower self-concepts on items related to academic achievement, and were rated by their teachers as less persistent…

Criticizes the development of current Federal policy for dealing with the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) epidemic based on the individual responsibility of minority group victims. Argues that AIDS should be combatted through a materialist-realist perspective that acknowledges the influence of social and environmental pressures. (FMW)

Studies perceptions of causal attributions pertinent to success and failure in two social class groups from Belgium, West Germany, India, South Korea, and England. Found high agreement among the two social classes as well as among four of the nations, but Indians rated all causes as more external, variable, and uncontrollable. (FMW)

The structure of "teacher efficacy" was studied with a sample of 342 prospective and experienced teachers through an efficacy questionnaire. Factors correspond to an internal versus external distinction, similar to the locus-of-control measures of causal attribution. (SLD)

This study examined the social attributions of 32 students with learning disabilities (LD) compared to those of 29 nonlearning-disabled low achieving and 33 average-achieving students. Students with LD were more likely to use external factors in explaining their social successes and failures, while attributing their successes to internal factors.…

Proposes causal field theory as a model of causal reasoning. Suggests that anomaly detection through comparison with natural events triggers causal reasoning. This anomaly is interpreted in terms of agency; therefore, natural phenomena can be understood through an appeal to agency. The mechanism proposed never changes with development, whereas…

Underlines two major differences between moral judgments and moral behavior. For behavior, the moral situation is construed from an observer's perspective after the event and typically involves conflicts between moral and other kinds of pressures. For judgment, the situation is interpreted from the self's perspective in advance and often involves…

Comments on the issues introduced by Saltzstein (PS 522 554) in this issue. Elaborates on Saltzstein's proposed social cognitive factors that may account for discrepancies between moral reasoning and action, highlighting strengths and weaknesses. (AA)

This study examined spoken attributions of 18 families during diagnostic therapy following serious child abuse. Patterns of attributions successfully predicted classification of families by therapists as good, uncertain, and poor in terms of prognosis for rehabilitation. Case accounts illustrate use of attributional analysis to understand the…

Tested the belief that exploring gender themes in counseling is most therapeutic when the client also considers gender issues relevant for understanding personal experience. Analogue counselors made either high gender salience or low gender salience interventions with 209 subjects. Results indicated small interaction effects between counselor…

The responses of 2,511 Asian American students in grades 4 to 11 in Seattle, Washington, to the Survey of Achievement Responsibility revealed distinctions among Chinese, Filipino, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, and other Southeast Asian students in attributions to effort or ability. Recommends national origin be defined in studies related to Asian…

This study found that, compared to nonmaltreated children, 19 children (ages 8-13) who had been physically and emotionally abused by their parents showed greater depressive symptomatology, including feelings of sadness, lower self-esteem and self-worth, and perceived lack of control over aversive events (helplessness). (Author/JDD)

Examined age differences in attributions for self-reported successes and failures in important and daily situations. Attributions and affects were collected from 61 young, 21 middle-aged, and 15 older adults. Middle-aged and older adults were more likely than young adults to attribute failure to external causes and to describe more social than…

The relationship between academic self-concept and achievement was examined longitudinally for 46 children at ages 8 and 10. A bidirectional relationship operated between self-concept and achievement. Success attributions to ability were positively related to self-concept and achievement but were not a direct predictor of achievement. (SLD)