A series of four studies identified the conative factors associated with the constructs of desire, resourcefulness, initiative, and persistence through the development of a conceptual model that provides a framework for understanding autonomous learning. The studies ultimately produced a single instrument, the Learner Autonomy Profile, that…

Call center staff answered calls in 4 treatments: alignment job design (n=35), autonomous work teams (n=35), high-involvement work processes (n=43), and controls (n=36). Job satisfaction improved in alignment job design and high-involvement treatments, most significantly in the latter. Skill level and attitude toward autonomous work might have…

Studied the links between secrecy and psychosocial well-being and emotional autonomy among 227 younger (12-13 years) and older (16-18 years) adolescents. Results show that keeping secrets from parents is associated with physical and psychological disadvantages in adolescence. Secrecy, however, was also related to adolescents' emotional autonomy.…

English-speaking Turkish translation students (n=90) were taught to apply Internet searches to translation tasks. Pre/post program data indicate that student learned to reflect critically on their learning and to shift from teacher-dependent to autonomous approaches. They recognized that translation required more personal responsibility from the…

The paper examines the advantages and disadvantages of allowing mentally retarded clients to exercise personal liberties, such as the right to choose and refuse daily activities. Recommendations are offered to protect both the right to habilitation and the freedom to choose. (Author/DB)

Examined autonomy in male college students with (n=33) and without (n=28) Greek affiliation who completed Iowa Developing Autonomy Inventory. Results were nonsignificant for total autonomy scale and for five of six subscales: interdependence, emotional independence-parents, time management, money management, and mobility. Fraternity men were found…

Long-term care of the elderly raises conflicts between personal autonomy and well-being. Assessments of decision-making capacity and definitions of negative and positive autonomy pose value-laden dilemmas for caregivers. (SK)

The historical focus of home economics is on the well-being of the individual and the family. The promotion of individual autonomy is, therefore, an appropriate mission for home economics education. (SK)

Explores the directiveness/nondirectiveness dilemma as experienced by community development practitioners. Discusses strategies used in attempts to deal with this dilemma and concludes with implications for practice. (Author)

The structure of adaptive behavior as a function of age and handicap status was investigated with 288 mentally retarded persons and nonretarded controls. Exploratory analysis of the subscale scores from the Scales of Independent Behavior revealed a large Adaptive or Personal Independence dimension and smaller Academic, Personal Responsibility, and…

Refutes the idea that autonomy in work is necessary for efficient coordination or to enable the organization to develop a learning structure. Suggests that autonomy is an important element for internal incentive; if training is to become an incentive factor, autonomy is essential. (SK)

The empowerment of individuals with disabilities has resulted in a corresponding disempowerment of service professionals. These professionals need the freedom to be diligent and effective in their work; they need opportunities to be creative, to try out new ideas, and perhaps to fail, rather than be buried under excessively burdensome restrictions…

A scholar on legal ethics responds to criticism that his views on legal advocacy are morally neutral, arguing that his approach is client centered, emphasizing the lawyer's role in enhancing the client's autonomy as a free person in a free society. He argues that the lawyer's autonomy must be respected. (MSE)

This article describes how persons with disabilities can be given more control over supported employment services and, thus, their work experiences. Consumer empower issues are examined from various aspects of service delivery (e.g., preferences for training methods) and types of problems. Illustrative case examples show the positive effects of…

A British Columbia survey of 45 intermediate care residents and 45 nurses found significant differences between residents' and staff perceptions of the importance of activities and residents' level of choice. Staff members' erroneous assumptions may result in procedures that restrict residents' choice of activities. (SK)