The importance of theory and experimental findings in giving direction, structure, and comprehensibility to research about self-concept is discussed. Analysis of the necessary affective variables to be included in the systematic experimentally-based development of effective educational programs in the affective domain is emphasized. (Author/AL)

Used stepwise regression procedures to determine classroom behaviors associated with eight dimensions of reading attitudes among inner-city fifth graders. Classroom behaviors were measured by teacher ratings. Results indicate seven of the eight dimensions of reading attitude showed a significant relationship with some aspect of classroom behavior.…

Situational obstacles stemming from cultural and economic circumstances (migrant status, time away from school for work, etc.) were observed to have at least as much influence on the Mexican American child's educational and occupational aspirations as the more commonly stressed family interaction variables such as parental aspiration and emphasis…

Eighty adolescents, grades 7-9, were assessed on empathy development and perceived competencies. Females proved more empathic than males, but no developmental trends in empathy development were observed. Social competence was positively associated with empathic skills, but cognitive and physical competencies showed a negative association,…

This research supports the proposition that a greater number of public employees results in a higher perception of quality in public servlces and that fewer administrative units per capita also result in a higher perception of quality in public services. (Author/IRT)

Correlates 138 elementary school children's views about the purposes of school to their styles of reward allocation: academically motivated students allocated rewards equally to two hypothetical performers who had unequally helped a teacher perform a manual chore, while socially motivated children allocated rewards in an equity (performance-based)…

The internal-external locus of control scales of Rotter and Levenson and the Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale were completed by 156 undergraduates. The three-factor structure underlying Levenson's questionnaire was clearly confirmed. Some new evidence for the multidimensionality of Rotter's scale was also presented. (Author/GDC)

Investigates the motivational factors of students of Asian and Asian-American backgrounds learning Chinese at the university level in the United States. Results indicate that intrinsic interest in Chinese culture and the desire to understand one's own cultural heritage are the initial motivation for students to learn the language and that…

Examines how Japanese learners of English transmit information in the target language. Results indicate that the amount of utterance and information did not necessarily correlate; speech patterns of the Japanese differed from those of native speakers; and the students possessed potential oral proficiency if given enough time. (26 references)…

Discusses burnout among bibliographic instruction librarians and describes the use of the Maslach Burnout Inventory and a Role Questionnaire with bibliographic instruction librarians in colleges in New England using a mailed survey. Relationships between levels of burnout and role stress, formal educational preparation, and faculty rank and status…

Describes the California Critical Thinking Dispositions Inventory (CCTDI), highlighting the test's seven subscales: inquisitiveness, open-mindedness, systematicity, analyticity, truth-seeking, critical thinking self-confidence, and maturity. Presents findings from a study using the CCTDI to determine the relationship between community college…

Three studies investigated preschoolers' reasoning about ability. Findings suggested sensitivity to mental state information when judging another child's ability, and they perceived positive correlations between effort and academic success, and "niceness" and high academic ability. Comparisons with 9- to 10-year-olds suggest that…

Whether word-reading processes operated similarly in 72 adult literacy students and 72 elementary school students matched for reading level was studied. The same orthographic and phonological processes appear to govern in both, but correlations between word reading and spelling were weaker for adults. (SLD)

A survey of 823 high school students found that the higher the adolescent is on a Need scale, the greater the likelihood of engaging in substance use. Further results indicated that cigarette smoking, drinking alcohol, and smoking marijuana are associated with significantly higher scores on the Need scale for both males and females. (RJM)

Discussion of peer assessment focuses on a study conducted in Taiwan that investigated networked peer assessment with high school and undergraduate students. Highlights include student attitudes toward peer assessment; peer-tutor correlation; and a measure of student satisfaction with networked peer assessment activities. (Author/LRW)