Relational Effects of Reading Motivation and Academic Achievement Among Adolescent Boys

This study explores the relationship between academic achievement and reading motivation among adolescent boys. We seek to understand (1) if motivational construct scores change meaningfully over time, (2) what relationship exists between the achievement scores and reported reading motivation, and (3) if students who report higher reading motivation initially have greater gains in achievement over time than students who report lower reading motivation. Results suggest some variation in construct scores over time. Achievement scores obtained in eighth grade were predictive of numerous motivational construct scores in ninth grade; limited results suggest that motivation in ninth grade may affect later achievement.     

Spontaneous Sourcing Among Students Reading Multiple Documents

This study used think-aloud methodology to explore undergraduates' spontaneous attention to and use of source information while reading six documents that presented conflicting views on a controversial social scientific issue in a Google-like environment. Results showed that students explicitly and implicitly paid attention to sources of documents as well as sources cited within documents and that their attention to source information was associated with its use in evaluating, predicting, and interpreting the content of the documents. Students' sourcing activity varied across documents. The two documents that took the strongest, opposing stances on the controversy elicited the most sourcing. We also observed that, in essays they wrote on the controversy, students' spontaneous sourcing activity was related to their citation of a particularly trustworthy source. The study's theoretical implications are discussed in terms of the Documents Model framework.     

Motivation-Hygiene Aspects of Vocational Indecision and College Achievement

Subjective and objective scales designed to assess Herzberg and Hamlin's (1961) motivation and hygiene constructs were given to 133 male university freshmen. On the basis of ACT scores and responses to a university admission form, they were classified into groups having no vocational preferences (NP), non-realistic preferences (NRP), and realistic preferences (RP). NRP and RP groups were more motivation oriented than NP group, and on one scale NRP group was more hygiene oriented than RP group. A group of 34 male clients was more motivation oriented than NP group. With ACT scores partialled out, grade-point average was correlated positively with endorsement of certain “motivator” job incentives and negatively with endorsement of some “hygiene” incentives. The findings and theory are suggested as relevant to vocational and educational counseling.     

高中生成就动机、物理学习成绩对其自我监控的影响

随机选取高中生314名,采用量表和问卷法探讨了成就动机、物理学习成绩对中学生物理问题解决自我监控能力发展的影响。结果表明：1、不同层次的动机,其自我监控能力不同,即高学习目标低成绩目标者监控水平最高,其次是高学习目标高成绩目标者,再是低学习目标低成绩目标者,最后是高成绩目标低学习目标者;2、物理学习成绩越好,中学生物理学习自我监控能力的水平越高。     

Torque as a Predictor of Reading Achievement

The present study assessed the utility of the Torque Test (Blau, 1977b) as a predictor of reading performance. Children (N = 149) were administered the Torque Test, the Harris Test of Lateral Dominance (Harris, 1958), the Wide Range Achievement Test, (Jastak & Jastak, 1965), and the Bender Gestalt Test (Koppitz, 1975). Torque scores of disabled and nondisabled readers did not differ significantly, and the correlation between torque and WRAT grade level scores was substantively low. It was concluded that torque is not a useful measure of reading ability.     

Motivations for Reading Beauty and Fashion Magazines and Anorexic Risk in College-Age Women

A growing body of research has linked the reading of women's beauty and fashion magazines with the presence of eating-disordered thinking. Most of this research has focused on the relationship between the frequency with which women read and their potential anorexic risk. In the present study, the authors explore the connection between the motivations for reading and the presence of anorexic cognitions. Specifically, this study of 536 college-age women sought to determine which reading motivations might be the most p redictive of anorexic risk and whether those motivations would be differentially related to reading frequency and to scores on the Mizes Anorectic Cognitions Scale (MACS). To test the simultaneous contribution of the possible reading motivations on the two outcomes of interest, a structural equation model using AMOS 4.0 was generated. The findings from the model indicate that reading frequency and anorexic risk are largely predicted by divergent motivational factors. The reading frequency of beauty and fashion magazines was most strongly predicted by a woman's desire for selfimprovement. Anorexic risk, as measured by MACS scores, was best predicted     

Neuropsychological Aspects of Multiple Sclerosis

Since S. Rao's [Neuropsychology of Multiple Sclerosis: A Critical Review, A Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology, Vol. 85, pp. 503–542] (1986) seminal review, considerable research has been undertaken on the neuropsychological consequences of multiple sclerosis. This review incorporates the research literature of the last decade in presenting an overview of the current state of our knowledge concerning the etiology, course, symptoms, assessment, consequences, and treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS). The concept of subcortical dementia is revisited in light of the most recent literature documenting the neuropsychological deficits in patients with MS. The view that cognitively heterogeneous patient groups may disguise more specific patterns of focal neuropsychological impairment is considered. A critical review of the recent literature is also presented, detailing the degree to which recent research has addressed the areas of research need identified by Rao in 1986. Given recent advances in our knowledge, the need for more attention to be directed toward the evaluation of rehabilitation and psychological intervention is highlighted.     

Thinking Styles and Academic Achievement Among Filipino Students

The authors' objective in this study was to determine whether the precepts of R. J. Sternberg's (1988, 1997) theory of mental self-government apply to a non-Western culture. They administered R. J. Sternberg and R. K. Wagner's (1992) Thinking Styles Inventory, which is based on the theory of mental self-government, to 429 Filipino university students. The results of item analysis, scale intercorrelations, and factor analysis were consistent with the general provisions of the theory. Correlational analysis between thinking styles and grade point average showed that thinking styles are related to academic achievement. The results are explained with respect to the concepts and practices of Philippine culture and schools and discussed in relation to the developmental assumptions of the theory of mental self-government.     

阅读目标和阅读任务对读者眼动的影响(中文)

We review two studies examining task effects on eye guidance during reading. The first study investigated effects of reading perspective on eye behavior in reading. It demonstrated that both the initial encoding of words as well as the later integration stage of wrapping up the sentence meaning are influenced by the reading perspective. Early effects of reading perspective were observed both in saccadic programming and in fixation times and were primarily seen when reading a text of familiar content. In the second study, effects of reading task were examined by comparing eye movements between proofreading and reading for comprehension. Task effects appeared very early in the processing time line; both temporal and spatial aspects of eye movements were affected. Taking together, the two studies demonstrate that readers make a global adjustment to eye behavior on the basis of reading task or goal.     

Sensation Seeking and Need for Achievement Among Study-Abroad Students

Abstract

A constitutional decision rule is the criterion of agreement that the collectivity designates as necessary to achieve binding decisions. Ostrom and Ostrom's (1977) individual calculus model specifies that groups consider two types of costs in choosing a constitutional decision rule: decision-making costs (time, money and effort invested in the decision-making process) and deprivation costs (the extent to which each participant is disadvantaged by an unfavorable decision). Deprivation costs and decision-making costs were manipulated, and preferences for decision rules were observed in this study of 420 American college students. The results partially supported the Ostrom and Ostrom model: Decision-making costs were related to constitutional choice; deprivation costs were not so related. A very large preference was found for majority rule and elected leader rule. In general, subjects did not respond strongly to the desires for efficiency or for individual gain that were proposed by the calculus model.     

An Exploration of the Associations Among Multiple Aspects of Religiousness,Body Image,Eating Pathology,and Appearance Investment

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of positive and negative aspects of religiousness on eating pathology, body satisfaction, and appearance investment beyond previously established variables (age, BMI, exercise frequency, weight stability, and self-esteem). Data collected from 168 adult females at a Catholic-affiliated university were analyzed using hierarchical linear regressions. As expected, some religiousness variables (spirituality and seeing one’s body as having sacred qualities) were associated with eating pathology, body satisfaction, and appearance investment in potentially beneficial ways, and others (negative interaction with one’s religious community) were associated in potentially harmful ways. Interestingly, greater religious meaning, or the importance of religion in one’s life, was associated with greater eating pathology, and some variables (religious coping, participation in and support from one’s religious community) expected to be associated with greater body satisfaction were unrelated. Results are discussed in terms of mechanisms through which the aspects of religiousness may influence body satisfaction, appearance investment, and eating pathology.     

中学生阅读动机与阅读时间、阅读成绩的关系研究

采用问卷调查法对３５３名初、高中学生的阅读动机、阅读时间及阅读成绩进行了调查,结果发现：１．中学生的阅读动机是多维度的,包括内部动机、外部动机、社会性动机与自我效能,它们之间相互影响、相互联系;２．中学生阅读动机水平的高低与阅读时间、阅读成绩存在极为显著的正相关,其中,内部动机对中学生阅读时间、阅读成绩的影响要大于其它因素的影响;３．中学生的阅读动机发展特点具有性别帮年级差异,趋势是初中生优于高中     

Academic Achievement and Self-Esteem Among Black and White College Students

Abstract

Most studies on self-esteem among black and white Americans include samples of elementary school and high school students. In the present study, data on 298 black and white college students and an examination of the relationship between student's grade point average and self-esteem were presented. Several findings corroborate earlier research on school-age children. Self-esteem scores of blacks and whites were not significantly different, despite blacks having significantly lower grade point averages than whites. The relationship between grade point average and self-esteem, however, was negligible among blacks and among white males, suggesting that academic achievement is not critical to the self-concept of college students.     

Knowledge of Social Aspects of Aging Among Pastors

ABSTRACT

One hundred and sixty randomly selected pastors were questioned concerning their knowledge of key aspects of social aging. The instrument used was developed for this study and involved more sophisticated questions than are usually found on quizzes of this nature. The mean score was 55/100. Self education and participation in formal seminars in aging were positively associated with higher scores while seminary exposure to aging related course work was not Pastors were not good estimators of their own level of knowledge, but level of knowledge was positively associated with presence of church programs for the elderly.     

Relations Among Mindfulness,Achievement-Related Self-Regulation,and Achievement Emotions

Mindfulness has been hypothesized to directly facilitate well-being, and to indirectly do so by enhancing self-regulated functioning. No prior research has examined these relationships in the domain of academic achievement. The current study tested relationships among mindfulness, achievement-related self-regulation (e.g., delay-of-gratification, help-seeking, and self-control) and achievement emotions among a sample of 290 undergraduate students. Results revealed that indices of mindfulness, achievement-related self-regulation, and achievement emotions were significantly inter-correlated. And, results supported the hypothesis that the prediction of achievement emotions by mindfulness was mediated by greater self-regulation over achievement. Results are considered in light of recent evidence for associations among mindfulness, self-regulation, and well-being in other domains of functioning; with respect to theoretical and practical implications; and with respect to the possible fruitfulness of research bridging self-regulation as a character strength and achievement-related functioning.     

Reading at Home: Comparison of Reading Ability Among Homeschooled and Traditionally Schooled Children

The homeschool framework differs significantly from the traditional school setting. Earlier research has shown differences between homeschooled and other children in language skills, but no study has examined how homeschooling is related to the acquisition of the different components of reading. The present research examined several reading skills, comparing these two groups. The findings indicated that the homeschooled children achieved lower results in reading comprehension, but not in listening comprehension. The homeschooled children were also found to have broader general knowledge than the other children did. The gap between the groups in reading was associated with lower levels of phonological awareness. These findings might be attributed to the different methods used to teach reading in the two frameworks.     

Interactional Patterns and Marital Satisfaction Among Dual-Career Couples

The relationships of interactional patterns to the marital satisfaction of dual-career cou~lews ere exolored. Greater marital satisfaction was related to create; equality and reciprocity in the relationships. Couples experiencing reater marital satisfaction were apt to both give and ta e supports, to be involved in each other's careers, have equal commitment to the relationship, and to practice equal decision making. Holding non-traditional sex-role attitudes. and the husbands' approving of their wives' careers were related to higher marital satisfaction. Women who began their career after their marriages were apt to experience less marital satisfaction, less job satisfaction, fewer spouse supports, and greater inequality in decision making. Implications for clinicians are included.     

成就目标定向、自我效能与反馈寻求行为的关系

本研究共调查来自企业的员工539人,探讨了成就目标定向、自我效能感与反馈寻求行为的关系。研究表明：成就目标定向是通过影响个体的自我效能感来对个体反馈寻求数量、反馈寻求努力起作用的,成就目标定向的各个维度对结果变量均有不同程度的影响。最后,本文提出了一些今后研究的展望。