Examines the effects of gender, expectations of success, and social comparison on children's performance on a computer-based task. Finds that the presence of like students facilitated the performance of girls with high expectations of success but was detrimental to those with low expectations; found opposite results for boys. (DSK)

Addresses the question of how far superficial aspects of software can affect the performance of girls and boys on computer-based problem-solving tasks. Finds, in two tests, a significant gender by software interaction, with girls' performances being highly influenced by the software version. Suggests that children's response to computers are…

Reports responses by new primary and secondary teachers to two questionnaires designed to elicit their views about the extent they felt their training had prepared them for their first post. Reveals a wide range of differences between the two groups, and discusses them in light of training patterns. (DSK)

Conducts experiments to investigate the effects of extra contexts (pictures or example sentences) on learning context-dependent words. Finds no differences from results obtained with context-free words and shows that extra contexts inhibit learning context-dependent words in simultaneous presentations. Notes that application of feedback techniques…

Investigates developmental changes in adolescents' understandings of self-regulatory control. Finds for university students three control beliefs related to academic performance: adaptiveness, inflexibility, and irresoluteness in self-regulation. Finds for secondary students no effects on academic achievement by adaptive beliefs but strong effects…

Assesses students in a statistics laboratory of an educational psychology course for mathematics self-concept and mathematics anxiety at the beginning and end of the course. Finds that self-concept improves in a positive learning environment but that anxiety does not decrease. Reports that attitudinal factors are mediated by prior experience in…

Examines parental perspectives on the potency of information being sent home as a powerful reward and sanction for pupils. Surveys inner-city primary school's teachers, pupils, and their parents. Finds parents and children in strong agreement over the effectiveness of school-initiated rewards, but in considerable disagreement over sanctions. (DSK)

Analyzes the codification involved in learning geographical maps and the extent to which this codification is affected by characteristics of the task (map information content and varied instructions) and subject (experience level and cognitive development). Reports results from three groups of adolescents and two groups of psychology and geography…

Investigates predictions derived from the Karmiloff Smith framework for understanding the process of cognitive development. Finds broad support for the model but also indicates that behavior for some tasks is more variable than expected; and, contrary to expectations, that more abstract tasks did not disrupt behavior to any large extent. (DSK)

Compares responses of newly qualified primary teachers to a questionnaire designed to elicit their perceptions regarding the degree and frequency of stress they experienced during the first year. Finds differences in stress levels based on the type of training teachers receive, and identifies job aspects that are particularly stressful. (DSK)

Presents a five year cross-sectional study that measured the self esteem, reading, and mathematical attainments of five cohorts of Year 2 British children over the period of introduction of the National Curriculum and assessment procedures into primary schools. Reports that self esteem showed a downward trend throughout the first four years of the…

Examines the learning and study strategies of 9th grade female students from Singapore. Compares the resulting profiles to those of U.S. students of similar age and cross-ability levels as well as comparing their expressed views on the nature of knowledge. Discusses the findings in detail. (CMK)

Examines the effect of Catholic school culture on academic achievement in the Higher School Certificate Examination. Attempts to model achievement as the outcome of a Catholic school culture that is the result of variables operating at both the individual and school levels. Develops and tests the model. Discusses the findings in detail. (CMK)

Investigates the emotional reactions associated with the bullying incident as reported by self-declared bullies and their victims, the behavioral reactions of victims, and the role of pupil sex and school level differences in emotional and behavioral reactions. Reports that victims experienced feelings of vengefulness, anger, and self-pity;…

Examines the conditions under which using notes while essay-writing is helpful. Reviews the efforts of 226 Finish high school graduates taking an entrance examination to a nursing school. Indicates that the advice to write an essay using spontaneously written notes is not applicable in all situations. (CMK)