Psychological consequences of collective violence in childhood: the case of Monterrey,Mexico / Consecuencias psicológicas de la violencia colectiva en la niñez: el caso de Monterrey,México

Abstract

During the last years, different types of violence have severely damaged Mexico. In this paper we examine the consequences that violence could have in children, one of the most vulnerable segments of society. In short, we predict that exposure to any type of violence will lead to higher depression and that this could be explained through the effects of violence on childhood well-being. Our hypothesis was supported in two studies, showing that exposure to street violence (Study 1, N = 607) and exposure to collective violence (Study 2, N = 172) can increase childhood depression. Moreover, in both studies, this effect was explained by the decrease of childhood well-being caused by violence exposure. The implications of these results are discussed.     

Dominant achievement goals and different profiles among secondary students / Dominancia de metas de logro y perfiles específicos en enseñanza secundaria

Abstract

Spanish adolescents’ dominant achievement goals and their specific profiles were explored in a physical education context. A sample of 385 students (207 males and 178 females, M = 14.2 years) completed a questionnaire that included 2x2 achievement goals (AGQ-PE), dominant achievement goals, affectivity (PANASN), perfectionism (IPI) and outcome variables such as satisfaction with life (SLS), and intrinsic motivation, extrinsic motivation and amotivation (PLOC). Eighty-seven percent of participants showed dominant achievement goals, the highest percentage was mastery-approach (66%). Patterns found were consistent with the theoretical framework. Students that showed dominant mastery-approach achievement goals had a positively valenced profile. Those that showed performance-approach dominance had a positive and negative valenced profile. The ones that showed performance-avoidance had a negative valenced profile. Finally, subjects that showed mastery-avoidance dominance had a neutral valenced profile.     

Le rapport au savoir chez des lycéens à haut potentiel. Approche comparative avec des lycéens tout-venant

Do gifted teenagers (IQ ≥130) harbor a different attitude toward learning as compared to their mainstream peers? Can the attitudes toward learning held by these adolescents improve or hinder their academic performance? Eighty-four gifted high school students and 84 mainstream high school students between the ages of 13 and 18 years were asked to draw up “an assessment of knowledge” (Charlot, B., Bautier, E., Rochex, J.Y., 1992. École et savoir dans les banlieues… et ailleurs. Colin, Paris.). The collected textual data was submitted to both a quantitative and a lexicometric analysis (Alceste software). The gifted students revealed themselves as being more reflexive and “scholarly” relation to knowledge (op. cit.) than their mainstream peers. High achievers attach more value to academic knowledge and have greater confidence in their ability to learn.