Chinese Mothers and Adolescents’ Views of Authority and Autonomy: A Study of Parent–Adolescent Conflict in Urban and Rural China

Eighty‐five dyads of eighth‐grade adolescents (mean age = 14.15 years, SD = 0.39) and their mothers in China (30 dyads from urban one‐child families, 27 from urban multiple‐children families, and 28 from rural multiple‐children families) were interviewed individually. They described daily parent–adolescent conflicts, justified their perspectives on disputes, and evaluated conflict resolutions. The results indicated that across urban and rural areas, for both one‐child and multiple‐children families, adolescents differed significantly from their mothers in their views of parental authority and individual autonomy. The results also showed several regional differences, pointing to the importance of considering the specific context in which conflicts occur.     

Integrated Learning Systems and pupils with low attainments in reading

Ann Lewis, Senior Lecturer in Education in the Institute of Education at the University of Warwick, considers the research evidence from UK evaluations of Integrated Learning Systems, discusses the value of these systems for pupils with learning difficulties, and focuses on their effects on the reading attainments of lower achieving pupils.     

Reliability,Dimensionality, and Internal Consistency as Defined by Cronbach: Distinct Albeit Related Concepts

This article uses definitions provided by Cronbach in his seminal paper for coefficient α to show the concepts of reliability, dimensionality, and internal consistency are distinct but interrelated. The article begins with a critique of the definition of reliability and then explores mathematical properties of Cronbach's α. Internal consistency and dimensionality are then discussed as defined by Cronbach. Next, functional relationships are given that relate reliability, internal consistency, and dimensionality. The article ends with a demonstration of the utility of these concepts as defined. It is recommended that reliability, internal consistency, and dimensionality each be quantified with separate indices, but that their interrelatedness be recognized. High levels of unidimensionality and internal consistency are not necessary for reliability as measured by α nor, more importantly, for interpretability of test scores.     

Neural Oscillation Reveals Deficits in Visuospatial Working Memory in Children With Developmental Coordination Disorder

The electroencephalographic (EEG) oscillations associated with visuospatial working memory (VSWM) were examined in children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD; 10–11 years; N = 29) and typically developing (TD) children (10–11 years; N = 29). Behaviorally, DCD showed poorer VSWM than TD, which coincided with the diminished ability of DCD in modulating neural oscillations. Furthermore, prestimulus oscillatory alpha activity was correlated with VSWM performance. The results suggest that children with DCD might have a reduced ability to encode and recognize new information, and in particular have difficulty in maintaining task‐relevant information, resulting in poorer VSWM. This study thus concludes that changes in oscillatory EEG activity reflect some of the problems leading to cognitive deficits in DCD.     

UNDERSTANDING AND SUPPORTING ADOLESCENTS’ MENTAL TOUGHNESS IN AN EDUCATION CONTEXT

This study sought to explore the concept of mental toughness (comprising the attributes challenge, commitment, control, and confidence) from the perceptions of adolescents, to better understand their views on these attributes and the extent to which each were regarded as important within an educational setting. In total, 54 adolescents (31 female) aged 12–17 participated. Focus group interviews (n = 15, average group size 3–4) were conducted, audio‐recorded, and transcribed verbatim. Data were analyzed using the principles of abbreviated grounded theory. The students’ views are discussed with reference to relevant psychological theory and literature and implications for teachers interested in encouraging these positive psychological attributes among adolescents are discussed.