Predictor variables such as physical abilities, social interactions, and psychological factors are considered by coaches in selecting athletes for team membership. (JN)

Analyzed the effect of a seven-week motivational training program on competitive veteran swimmers. Results suggested that the motivational training program exerted significant and positive influences on swimming performances. Swimmers perceived the program effective in improving swimming performances, developing personal motivation, establishing…

Examined the vicarious effects on one child of observing another child receive direct social reinforcement in two studies. Results of both studies were similar. Although children who observed other children being reinforced increased their performance initially, their performance levels decreased over time. (Author)

Significant differences between dyslexic children and controls were found in identification and discrimination of synthesized voiced stop consonants differing in place of articulation. Results suggest an inconsistency in the dyslexics' phonetic classification of auditory cues. A significant relationship was found between reading level and speech…

A coach's role is to develop and sustain the athlete's self-efficacy by ensuring performance success, communicating effectively, using role-modeling techniques, reducing anxiety-producing factors, and using positive reinforcement. (JN)

Performance outcomes are influenced by two psychological needs: the need to feel competent and the need to feel in control. To avoid competitive stress and create motivation, the athletic coach should: (1) take the emphasis off winning and place it on the process of skill development and improvement; and (2) encourage the athlete to set realistic…

Tested whether individuals with Type A coronary-prone behavior focus attention more on important tasks, than do Type B's. Results indicated Type A's performed better on math problems and recalled more fatigue-related mood items when task was important, whereas Type B's performance did not differ between the task categories. (Author/RC)

Tested parochial school students with an examiner who wore a moderately proportioned gold cross, a gold Star of David, or no symbol. Results indicated scores varied as a function of the presence and type of symbol that was displayed. Discusses implications for practioners. (Author/JAC)

Developed a model and tested the following hypotheses: (1) esthetic features--tempo, rhythm, dynamics, and phrasing in piano performance--are accurately perceived by audience members and (2) such perceptual veridicality does not depend upon one's degree of education/training and is therefore shared by critics and audience members. (PD)

Performed a factor analysis on the results of the Wechsler Memory Scale for 99 older males to determine how normally aging older adults perform. Results seem to indicate that the manner of functioning in later life becomes deficient in quality rather than in quantitative performance. (Author)

Type A and Type B children's efforts to achieve were investigated. Type A's solved more arithmetic problems than did Type B's in a no-deadline condition. Type A's held a weight, which matched individual hand strength, 50 percent longer than did Type B's. Ambiguous performance criteria seemed to increase Type A efforts to excel. (Author/DB)

Content analyses for sex bias were conducted on items from three widely-used achievement tests which together span the grade levels 1-12. A significant but modest correlation was found between an item's content bias and performance on that item by male and female students. (SJL)

The role of apprehension in the writing competency and writing performance of 110 college undergraduates was investigated. The hypotheses stated that high apprehensives would perform differently than low apprehensives on standardized tests and on two essay tests. The hypothesis for writing performance on standardized tests was confirmed, but the…

This study investigated the effect of birth order and sex on goal setting and actual performance by elementary school boys and girls on a ring-toss task. Results indicated that firstborn boys set higher goals and performed significantly better than later-born boys, firstborn girls, or later-born girls. (Author/SJL)

Job analysis, job descriptions, and performance appraisal can benefit student services administration in many ways. Involving staff members in the development and implementation of these techniques can increase commitment to and understanding of the overall objectives of the office, as well as communication and cooperation among colleagues.…