Internal-external control (IE) expectancies of disadvantaged Head Start children were compared with those of middle class children in one Montessori and two parent cooperative nursery schools using the Stephens-Delys Reinforcement Contingency Interview IE measure. Middle class groups had significantly higher internal control scores than Head Start…

Examined factors that influence children's competence in mathematics when they begin first grade. Results indicated that parent education, family economic resources, and parent expectations influenced children's competence. Race and family structure, when considered apart from other variables, were not significant influences. (PCB)

Peer- and teacher-reported prosocial behavior of 339 6th-grade (11-12 years) and 8th-grade (13-14 years) students was examined in relation to prosocial goals, self-processes (reasons for behavior, empathy, perspective taking, depressive affect, perceived competence), and contextual cues (expectations of peers and teachers). Goal pursuit…