Acquired equivalence of cues in pigeon autoshaping: Effects of training with common consequences and with common antecedents

In three experiments, we sought evidence for the acquired equivalence of cues in pigeons trained in an autoshaping paradigm. In Experiment 1, presentations of each of a pair of cues (different keylight stimuli) preceded a common consequence (a different keylight stimulus). The pattern of response then established by further training given to one member of the pair was found to generalize preferentially to the other, demonstrating equivalence between cues that had shared a common consequence. The same test procedure was used in Experiment 2, but with a training procedure in which each cue of a pair was preceded by a given stimulus. This too resulted in enhanced generalization between members of the pair, showing that equivalence can be established when cues have been experienced along with a common antecedent. Both training procedures were combined in Experiment 3 to confirm the reliability of the effects previously obtained. The discussion is focused on ways in which the associative explanation offered for cases of equivalence mediated by a common consequence might be extended to accommodate equivalence mediated by a common antecedent.     

A frame of reference for understanding behaviors related to the academic misconduct of undergraduate teacher education students

The purposes of the present study were to develop a valid self-report survey instrument that would measure the academic misconduct construct and to determine if the instrument could be used effectively to identify different orientations of teacher education students relative to academic misconduct. In an effort to achieve these purposes, an instrument called the Academic Misconduct Survey (AMS) was developed to measure the self-reported academic misconduct behaviors of the respondents. This study was conducted usingR-technique factor analyses and alpha-reliability analyses during Phase I (n=330) to investigate the clustering of variables within the AMS, and Q-technique factor analyses during Phase II (n=90) to investigate the clustering of persons into recognizable prototypes using data obtained from the AMS. Respondents in both phases were undergraduate teacher education students at several selected institutions of higher learning. Phase I results indicated that the instrument measured academic misconduct across five constructs: cheating on tests and assignments, inappropriate use of resources, quasi-misconduct, subtle manipulation, and bold manipulation. The second phase resulted in the identification of several interpretable clusters of persons, ranging from self-proclaimed noncheaters to those who indicated clear propensity toward various types of misconduct.     

Strength and Motivation: What College Athletes Bring to Social Work

College athletes develop many strengths and skills during their athletic career, such as dedication, ability to work across cultures, leadership, and community building. Social workers need many of these same skills. This study explores the potential transfer of skills from athletics to social work among 15 former college athlete MSW students. Qualitative interviews asked about transferability of skills developed as college athletes to social work practice. Participants identified both interpersonal and intrapersonal skills gained in their athletic career that were of use in social work practice. Implications for both athletic career development and social work recruitment and education are discussed.     

Children of Lesbian and Gay Parents

This paper reviews research evidence regarding the personal and social development of children with gay and lesbian parents. Beginning with estimates of the numbers of such children, sociocultural, theoretical, and legal reasons for attention to their development are then outlined. In this context, research studies on sexual identity, personal development, and social relationships among these children are then reviewed. These studies include assessment of possible differences between children with gay or lesbian versus heterosexual parents as well as research on sources of diversity among children of gay and lesbian parents. Research on these topics is relatively new, and many important questions have yet to be addressed. To date, however, there is no evidence that the development of children with lesbian or gay parents is compromised in any significant respect relative to that among children of heterosexual parents in otherwise comparable circumstances. Having begun to respond to heterosexist and homophobic questions posed by psychological theory, judicial opinion, and popular prejudice, child development researchers are now in a position also to explore a broader range of issues raised by the emergence of different kinds of gay and lesbian families.     

Rights

The hypothesis that turtoring experiences would make the undergraduate educational psychology course more meaningful for college students without a loss in traditional achievement was investigated. The thirty-four Ss in the project group volunteered to spend about two hours tutoring and two hours in class each week. The progress of this group was compared with the progress of students in the traditional sections who were exposed to the same tests, text, and instructor. The results suggested that; the tutoring group achieved as high in the traditional sense; the tutoring group significantly increased their attitude toward children and teaching; the tutoring group felt that both they and the children being tutored profited from their experiences; and that the cooperating teachers felt the project should be continued as their students profited from the tutoring.     

Teaching assistants' facilitators and barriers to effective practice working with children with ADHD: a qualitative study

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) rates have increased in recent years, resulting in the need for more classroom support. In Wales, support for many pupils with ADHD is provided by the 16,157 teaching assistants (TAs) employed by local authorities. This qualitative study interviewed 15 primary school TAs to answer three questions concerning their feelings about their job, and the facilitators and barriers to their work with children with ADHD. Using thematic analysis, the researchers identified 10 themes: positive feelings, negative effects, a need for change, support, improvement over time, one-to-one relationship, lack of support, negativity towards ADHD, classroom environment, and poor knowledge and experience with ADHD. This study illustrates the TAs' love for their job and the importance of positive relationships. It also highlights a lack of support for TAs and negativity towards ADHD. Implications of the study and recommendations for the future are discussed.     

Effort Self-Talk Benefits the Mathematics Performance of Children With Negative Competence Beliefs

Children with negative competence beliefs often achieve below their potential in school. This randomized field experiment tested whether engaging in positive self-talk may benefit these children’s mathematics performance. Participants (N = 212, Grades 4–6, M_age = 10.6) worked on the first half of a standardized mathematics test, engaged in effort self-talk (“I will do my very best!”), ability self-talk (“I am very good at this!”), or no self-talk, and worked on the second half of the test. Compared to both the conditions, effort self-talk benefited the performance of children holding negative competence beliefs: It severed the association between negative competence beliefs and poor performance. By internally asserting that they will deliver effort, children with negative competence beliefs can optimize their achievement in school.     

Does attending a deeper learning school promote student motivation,engagement, perseverance,and achievement?

The evolving economic landscape of the 21st century demands graduates who possess deeper learning (DL) competencies such as critical thinking and collaboration skills. Despite their importance, little work has examined the motivational mechanisms through which DL predicts essential academic outcomes. The current study (N = 1,288) used an ethnically diverse sample of students (53% Hispanic) to explore self-efficacy and mastery goal orientation as potential mediators of the relationship between (a) enrollment in a DL school and (b) academic engagement, perseverance, and mathematics achievement. Results showed that students who attended DL schools, compared with students in non-DL schools, reported higher self-efficacy, mastery goal orientation, and academic engagement. Path analyses revealed that attending a DL school was associated with higher academic engagement and self-efficacy. However, enrollment in a DL school was not directly related to mathematics achievement. Overall, results provide evidence that attending a DL school can lead to valuable motivation- and engagement-related benefits.     

Learner support: The critical link in distance education

This study evaluates the OklahomaTelevised Instruction System, through an analysis of the student support services to include the resources available to the learner, the communications process characterized by the co‐ordination services provided among the on‐campus and distance sites, and the communication process characterized by the mechanical and electronic transfer of information. The study also compares the attitudes and performance of the participating on‐campus and distance students.