Reducing Perceptions of Time Required to Complete Math Assignments by Adding Problems to Assignments: A Synthesis of the Additive Interspersal Research

Results from nine experiments were analyzed to evaluate the relationship between relative problem completion rates (RPCR) and judgments of time involving mathematics assignments. For each experiment, control assignments contained only target mathematics computation or word problems. Matched experimental assignments contained similar target problems with additional, briefer problems interspersed after every third target problem. After working on each assignment for the same amount of time, students selected the assignment that they judged would require the least or most amount of time to complete. Regression analysis revealed a significant linear relationship between RPCR (i.e., PCR on experimental assignments/PCR on control assignments) and time perceptions (r=.97). As RPCR increased, the percentage of students judging the experimental assignments as being less time consuming increased proportionally. Discussion focuses on application of time perception theories to educational settings.     

AD/HD Symptoms and Conduct Problems: Similarities and Differences in Maternal Perceptions

Several theories attempt to explain the high co-occurrence of Attention Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD) and Conduct Problems (CP). A strong possibility is that AD/HD behaviours lead to the development of CP, due to family coercive interaction patterns, maintained through parental false beliefs regarding child problem behaviour. We compared maternal perceptions about AD/HD behaviors and CP, and the possible reactions elicited by such behaviours. The sample consisted of 317 mothers of boys and girls aged 4–6. Four versions of The Parental Account of the Causes of Childhood Problems Questionnaire were used, in which a vignette was ascribed to either a boy or a girl displaying some of the major AD/HD behaviours or CP. The results showed that CP were perceived as significantly more severe than AD/HD behaviours. Moreover, AD/HD behaviours were attributed to biological causes more often than CP, and less strict rearing practices were chosen for AD/HD symptoms. Our findings provide evidence that mothers usually perceive AD/HD behaviours and CP as separate entities and may behave accordingly with their children.     

幼儿好奇心结构教师评价模型验证性因子分析

在参考已有文献和进行开放式问卷调查的基础上,编制幼儿好奇心教师评定问卷,并以此问卷调查了929名幼儿,运用探索性因子分析和验证性因子分析方法探讨幼儿好奇心结构教师评价模型,结果表明,教师评价幼儿好奇心时存在一个由好问、喜欢摆弄、敏感、关注未知、探索持久、好奇体验以及反应性和探究的主动性等因子构成的三阶结构。     

国外教师期望研究综述

近些年,国外的心理学与教育学研究者对教师期望现象进行了大量的研究,并取得了一定的成果。本文重点介绍了教师期望的发展阶段、理论模型和研究内容,并提出未来的发展方向,旨在人们更为全面地了解教师期望的发展现状与前景。     

角色领悟与中学教师职业倦怠

近30年来对中学教师职业倦怠的研究,重点在于探讨中学教师职业倦怠的现状,很少聚焦于寻找解决办法。对于“角色领悟”,这种解决教师职业倦怠的可能途径之一的研究更是稀少。本研究重点在于探讨全面、正确的中学教师角色领悟对缓解中学教师职业倦怠的作用。     

小学儿童英语课堂学习焦虑发展及其与教师教育行为的关系

运用《外语课堂学习焦虑量表》和《教师教育行为问卷》对399名3～6年级小学儿童英语课堂学习焦虑及他们知觉到的英语教师的教育行为进行了考察。结果发现:(1)小学儿童英语课堂学习焦虑随年级升高而逐渐增长,五、六年级儿童在交际畏惧、考试焦虑、否定评价恐惧方面的得分都显著高于三、四年级儿童;(2)交际畏惧和考试焦虑是我国小学阶段儿童的主要焦虑类型;(3)在英语课堂学习焦虑的三个维度上,男女生差异均不显著;(4)教师的消极反应与评价、鼓励与帮助是预测学生英语课堂学习焦虑的重要变量。研究结果表明,学校、教师和家长应重点关注高年级学生的课堂学习焦虑情况,加强情感疏导,并且教师要多给予学生积极的评价,有助于降低学生的课堂焦虑情绪。     

Perceptions of childfree women: The role of perceivers' and targets' ethnicity

The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of ethnicity on perceptions of voluntary childfree women. We were interested in determining whether mothers were viewed as more stereotypically positive than women without children and how the ethnicity of the participant and the target impacted participants' ratings. We utilized vignettes and manipulated motherhood status and ethnicity of the target. Participants (n = 224) were comprised of female university students in the southwestern region of the United States. Results indicated that women view childfree women negatively. Moreover, women view African American mothers more favourably than childfree African American women. Results are discussed in terms of gender roles in communities of colour. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

L’insertion professionnelle des enseignants débutants au Québec

With an aim of checking if educational circles took into account the professional induction of their beginning teachers, in the context of the renewed teacher educational formation, we investigated the working experience of newly graduated high-school teachers from University of Montreal in the years 1998-1999-2000. This study also tries to see if the renewed teacher educational formation inaugurated in 1994 plays a facilitating role in the beginning high school teachers’ induction and if professional exhaustion is part of their problems. The results obtained indicate that 94 % (N=165 out of 176) of the beginners participating in our study considered to have succeeded in their professional insertion. Most of them find their initial formation adequate. They say to be especially satisfied of the quantity and quality of the training courses and state that their formation covers well the various aspects of the actual teacher’s task. Beginners also find that school Commissions should greatly improve their facilitating measures of professional insertion. The results of the investigation showed that the professional insertion of the beginners is more difficult in the absence of helping measures. Finally, although the majority of beginners complain about the heaviness of their task, the investigation reveals that professional exhaustion does not play a part in the success or failure of their induction.     

Advancing measurement of work and family domain boundary characteristics

Recent research offers promising theoretical frameworks for thinking about the work–family interface in terms of the boundaries individuals develop around work and family. However, measures for important constructs proposed by these theories are needed. Using two independent samples, we report on the refinement of existing boundary flexibility measures. Additionally, inter-domain transitions are introduced as a theoretically sound conceptualization of the frequency with which the work and family domains come in contact. Results from Study 1 further support the existence of two flexibility factors, willingness and ability, for the work and family domains, respectively. Results from Study 2 provide evidence for the nomological network surrounding the flexibility and inter-domain transitions measures in relation to role centrality, perceptions of domain blurring, and family-supportive organizational perceptions. Also, as hypothesized, boundary flexibility predicted inter-domain transitions, and inter-domain transitions predicted work–family conflict, with additional support for several hypothesized mediated effects between these constructs.     

Effects of Concerns About Child Care Among Single, Employed Black Mothers with Preschool Children

This study investigated whether differences in child care arrangements and mothers' attitudes about leaving their child in nonmaternal care were associated with maternal psychological well-being and perceptions of children in a sample of single, employed, low-income, Black mothers who were former welfare recipients. Feelings of discomfort with regard to nonmaternal care were associated with higher levels of maternal depressive symptomatology, which, in turn, predicted more negative perceptions of children. Preference for employment and increased working hours were associated with greater life satisfaction. Maternal education and the gender of the child were important moderating variables. Type of child care arrangement was nonsignificant. Policy implications are discussed.