Background: The relation between academic self-concept and achievement has been examined in a large number of studies. The majority of these studies have found evidence for a reciprocal effects model. However, there is an ongoing debate on how students' achievement should be measured and whether the type of achievement indicator (grades, tests,…

Background: This study seeks to examine a multidimensional model of student motivation and engagement using within- and between-network construct validation approaches. Aims: The study tests the first- and higher-order factor structure of the motivation and engagement wheel and its corresponding measurement tool, the Motivation and Engagement…

This study analyzed the Tertiary Admission Examination and Australian Scholastic Aptitude Test results for 264 pairs of 17-year-old monozygotic and dizygotic twins in Western Australia to determine if examination performance is influenced by environmental or genetic factors. Purely environmental models are rejected as inadequate explanations of…

Describes two experiments in which high school students who studied a map/prose combination expected either a spatial/locational or verbal/event posttest. Results indicate test expectation instructions significantly influenced kinds of information students were able to recall, and type of preinstructional expectation had a pronounced effect on how…

In a study of elementary children required to read factual or fictitious passages with or without relevant pictures, recall performance revealed a pictorial facilitation effect which differed according to passage type. Pictures with story passages enhanced recall of illustrated text while pictures with factual passages enhanced illustrated and…

Two experiments investigated effects of pictures on kindergarten children learning to read nouns. Results indicate instructions to associate word and picture and viewing of the word prior to presentation of the picture failed to improve performance. Children who learned words in absence of pictures recognized more words on post-learning trials.…

Describes a study conducted with undergraduate psychology students to determine if the relationship between expectancy measured shortly before an examination and subsequent achievement can be accounted for by the possible common antecedents of previous achievement, past effort expenditure, and perceived ability. (MBR)

Examines traditional psychometric approaches to measuring intelligence and recent work by cognitive psychologists to develop a rationale for a non-verbal reasoning test for 10- to 11-year-olds. Recent studies providing basis for analyzing structure of test items are outlined, and benefits of analyzing items at a sub-type level are discussed.…

A study of 12- to 14-year-olds was conducted to investigate which components of spatial ability may be dependent on general cognitive functioning level and to compare possible differences in carrying out certain spatial operations in children of equal intelligence, but who are not specifically gifted for mathematics or visual arts. (MBR)

Attitude, achievement, and sex stereotyping tests administered to 11-year-olds reveal boys are more sex stereotyped; able and middle-class girls are less sex stereotyped; feminine self-image is linked to low achievement and masculine self-image to high achievement; and children endorsing sex stereotypes show less interest in science associated…

Influences upon attitudes towards aphasic children were studied when ordinary children (ages nine-14) were given explanations of, or had direct contact with, motoric aphasic children and explanations of their handicap. Attitudes of children exposed to daily contact were less negative and attitudes were more negative with decreasing age across…

Examines explanations used by children (ages five-14) to explain academic success and failure; frequency of their use; and developmental variations in types of explanations used. It was found that patterns of attribution categories vary by age, and that the attribution process involves a complex interaction of subjective and objective reality.…

Reading achievement test performance of high and low ability sixth-graders in contrasting reading programs was examined. Lower academic ability pupils benefitted from the explicitly sequenced, behaviorally oriented Matteson program, while higher academic ability students benefitted from the Scott Foresman program, which emphasizes rich language…

This investigation of the development of young children's concept of evaporation examines their intuitive explanations of real world events involving evaporation. A study of the effects of providing evidence contradicting their explanations and of directing their attention to relevant situational features provides insight into the development of…

Describes a study designed to provide profiles of intellectual abilities actually practiced by elementary and secondary education pupils in science lessons and to investigate changes in these profiles as a function of pupil age. Study results are discussed in terms of teaching method and the resultant intellectual abilities. (MBR)