Seven papers present a new paradigm for understanding the sources of motivation and how it can be enhanced in high-risk students. Major parameters include the importance of reflective self-awareness, the realization of personal autonomy and agency, and the importance of support from personal relationships. (SLD)

Examined the connection between adolescents' expressions of negative affect and their attempts to meet the developmental task of establishing autonomy and relatedness in interactions with their parents. Longitudinal observational data and interviews of 96 adolescents and their parents revealed that difficulties establishing autonomy and…

The relationships among prior achievement, individual outcome, team outcome, and students' achievement and academic perceptions were studied for 190 students (grades 3 through 7) learning mathematics in teams. Subjects' teachers also participated. Team outcome was related to achievement and academic perceptions, but not to prior achievement and…

Structure and intensity of naturally occurring and induced affect were studied with 244 university students and 1 employee in 2 studies using 2 methodological paradigms (dimensionality and classification) and 2 everyday contexts (lecture and television advertising). A circular structure of feeling was experienced during the lecture (naturally…

Data from 404 university students (28% females; 72% males) enrolled in a discrete mathematics course were analyzed to explore gender differences. Concludes that differences associated with confidence, self-concept, test anxiety and quantitative ability, detrimental to women were overcome by increased assignment work and tutorial attendance to…

Emotional issues impacting the lives of gifted students are discussed, including peer pressure, competition, perfectionism, independence, expectations of self or others, and economic disadvantage. Teaching suggestions and poems by gifted students are provided. (DB)

Compared 22 high-goal-directed and 22 low-goal-directed early retirees to examine the idea that effective adaptation to life events requires an ability to maintain a sense of purpose and direction. Found that high-goal-directed retirees were viewed as more outgoing and involved, whereas low-goal-directed retirees were viewed as self-critical,…

Preschoolers through second graders were given an opportunity to help another child obtain toys. Help that required a specific form of affective attribution and reconciliation was found to be related to the affective attribution and reconciliation measures when the demands of the helping opportunity matched the social cognition measure demands.…

Explores gender differences in the use of computer-mediated communication in a specific learning context by a small group of postgraduate distance learners and their tutors at the University of Sheffield. Uses content analysis of online dialog to investigate learning and socioemotional behavior. (Author/LRW)

Examined whether apprentices differed from nonapprentices in rates of deviant behavior. Found that nonapprenticed males were less deviant than apprenticed males; nonapprentices perceived more connectedness with and peer disapproval from parents; affective quality of parent-adolescent relations did not differ by educational track; and there was…

This follow-up article outlines goals, principles, and techniques for improving curriculum and instruction for secondary students with learning disabilities so that the following affective goals are fostered: intrinsic motivation, internal locus of control, academic and social self-concept, self-esteem, a sense of competence and confidence, an…

Discusses the overwhelmingly positive evidence from experience and research which suggests that a multiage environment can be superior to one of age-segregated class levels. Illuminates the logic of educating students in mixed-age groups (called multiage) by discussing the academic and social advantages, the affective benefits, and the positive…

Self-determination theory and a motivational model of engagement were used to determine the impact of perceived competence and autonomy on engagement and performance in 77 third and fourth graders identified as above average in ability. Children who felt less competent or less autonomous reported more negative affect and withdrawal. (SLD)

Surveyed native Hawaiian high school students (n=1,779) for symptoms of psychopathology and suicide attempts in the previous 6 months. Seventy-seven students reported making a suicide attempt. There were no significant differences in prevalence rates for males and females. Depression, anxiety, aggression, substance abuse symptoms, and low family…

Examines and compares affective orientations of 79 perpetrators, 57 victims, and 70 functional spouses. Perpetrators were significantly more alexithymic than functional spouses but not significantly different from victims. Deficit of positive affect versus the presence of negative affect was a significant indicator of physical abuse reported…