Thesis (M.S.)--University of Michigan, 1993.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Florida State University, 2005. / Advisor: Dr. Thomas E. Joiner, Florida State University, College of Arts and Sciences, Dept. of Psychology. Title and description from dissertation home page (Sept. 14, 2005). Document formatted into pages; contains vi, 24 pages. Includes bibliographical references.

Studenternas kan eftersom de tror att de kan. - En studie om sambandet mellan 50 barns självförtroende och resultat i läsning. Syftet med denna studie är att undersöka sambandet mellan 50 barns självförtroende och prestationer i läsning med fokus på följande frågor: • Finns det något samband mellan de 50 elevernas självförtroende och deras prestationer i LUS? • Vilka slutsatser kan dras av jämförelsen mellan flickors och pojkars resultat i LUS och deras självförtroende? Undersökningen är baserad på 50 barns svar på enkäter om självförtroende och deras läs- och utvecklingsscheman. Den teoretiska ram bygger på de centrala föreställningar om självförtroende, prestationer och läsning, särskilt Taube (2007), McClelland, Abrahamsson & Andersen (2005), Liberg (2006) och Bråten (2008).   Undersökningen visar bland annat att det finns ett samband mellan elevens självkänsla och deras prestanda i LUS. Korrelationen är högre för pojkar än för flickor i denna undersökning. / The aim of this study is to investigate the correlation between 50 children’s self-confidence and achievements in reading with a focus on following questions:  Is there any connection between the 50 students' self-esteem and their performance in LUS? What conclusions can be drawn from the comparison between girls' and boys' results in LUS and their confidence? The investigation is based on the answers on surveys of 50 children and their reading and development schedules (in Swedish they are called läsutvecklingsscheman). The theoretical frame is founded on the central notions about self-confidence, achievements and reading, particularly Taube (2007), McClelland (Abrahamsson & Andersen 2005), Liberg (2006) and Bråten (2008). The investigation shows, among other things, that there is a correlation between the student’s self-esteem and their performance in the LUS. The correlation is higher for boys than for girls in this investigation.

The objective of this study is to investigate a connection between pupils’ self-confidence and extramural English. This is a quantitative survey study made among 37 fifth-graders in the Aland Islands, where a group of pupils were given questions about how they feel about English as a subject in school, and particularly about spoken English. There were also questions about their exposure to English at home. The results of the survey show that there is a connection between confidence and extramural English. Especially among the pupils playing computer games, the result shows that they are more self-confident when speaking English than the pupils who do not play computer games.

This thesis investigates ways in which literature, in this case the novel Letters From the Inside, can be used in teaching English and how it can support personal growth. The teaching is undertaken in the context of reader response, which basically means that readers use their previous knowledge to interact with texts. Langer’s envisionments and Chambers’ Tell me-approach serve as the theoretical framework; both are related to each other and to personal growth. The selection of books is discussed and the importance of choosing a book that is relevant for the pupils is pointed out, as well as the obvious statement that motivation rises when the chosen novel is appreciated by the reader who has affinity with the characters. Conclusions drawn are that personal growth is a wide concept, for which interaction is important, since it may increase the understanding of others. A tolerant and safe classroom environment is necessary, especially if you want pupils to discuss personal and perhaps, subjects that are sensitive to them.

Självförtroende är ett viktigt begrepp som till stor del påverkar eleverna i matematik. Detta ligger till grund för bland annat motivation, arbetsglädje och resultat. Den här uppsatsen syftar till att ta reda på och fördjupa hur elever ser på det matematiska självförtroendet. För att ta reda på detta har jag utfört både en enkätundersökning som två fokusgruppsintervjuer i en femteklass. Studien har visat att eleverna är medvetna om att självförtroende har stor betydelse för deras inlärning och utveckling. Bland olika faktorer som påverkar det matematiska självförtroendet visade det sig svårt att fastställa vilken/vilka som är viktigast eftersom alla individer är olika och har olika förutsättningar. Vad studien ändå kan fastslå är att en positiv miljö med en kreativ och varierad undervisning som är stimulerande och utmanande är viktiga förutsättningar för att elevernas självförtroende ska stärkas. / Self-confidence is an important concept that largely affects the students in mathematics. This is the basis for among others motivation, job satisfaction and result. This paper aims to find out and immerse how students think about the mathematical confidence. To find out, I conducted both a survey as two focus group interviews in a fifth grade. This study has shown that students are aware that self-confidence in very important for their learning and development. Among different factors that affect the mathematical confidence it proved hard to determine which/what is most important because every individual is different and has different conditions. This study concludes that a positive environment in a creative and varied teaching that is stimulating and challenging are important conditions for students' self-confidence to improve.

This study is an exploratory investigation into the intrapsychic experiences of three learning disabled children whom have been in psychoanalytic therapy. The research used open-ended interviews to focus on the child, the therapist and the parent's experience of the therapeutic relationship. As there has been limited research in this area, the research searched for tentative, common experiences. A qualitative methodology was used as a means to elicit the essential meanings held by the participants, without initially presuming what they might be. The aim of the research was description and conceptualisation, rather than hypothesis testing. The methodology that was applied was an interpretative method that followed hermeneutic phenomenology principles. The results of this study add to the growing literature on the importance of the relationship factors in the child, mother and the therapist experience of the psychotherapy process. Results indicate a positive working relationship with the mother. This relationship was seen to work in a reciprocal manner and enhanced the effectiveness of the therapy. The working alliance with the mother appeared to be an intervention in its own right. The research indicated that the learning disabled children's relationship with their mothers impacted on their emotional well being. The lack of containment and lack of confidence from the mothers resulted in an insecure relationship with their child. Consequently, the mothers needed guidance, assistance and reassurance. The research confirms that learning disabled children are not emotionally limited, however it often takes time to explore their emotional experiences. In examining the participant's experience, it is of interest to note that family dynamics and family relationships were consistently the most important theme in the therapy. Family circumstances appeared to shape the child's and the mother's concerns. Themes of guilt, pity and contempt were evident in both the mother's and the therapist experience of the therapy process in relation to the child. The findings are largely confirmatory of other research studies that have outlined the impact of a learning disability on self-esteem. The use of the enmeshed and preoccupied defence styles emerged as a way of coping for the learning disabled child. Finally, the therapy was found to assist the learning disabled child with making sense of their environments and emotional experiences. The therapy by providing a containing and holding space for the mother and child, not only improved relationships but also enabled the child to develop a stronger sense of self. Possible directions for future research of the psychoanalytical therapeutic work with learning disabled children are discussed. / Thesis (PhD (Psychotherapy))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Psychology / unrestricted

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the relationship between Self-Efficacy Theory (Bandura, 19 77) and adherence to health behavior prescription. A self report Self-Efficacy Questionnaire was developed to assess levels of efficacy. Dietary adherence was determined by self report as well as body composition assay and measurement of body weight. Levels of exercise compliance were assessed by self report in addition to a treadmill test.

With the growing number of students from China who study abroad, many initially struggle to engage with native English speakers due to limited opportunities to develop oral English skills within their homeland (Gu and Maley, 2008). The reasons why Chinese students' may exhibit varied levels of motivation to engage with others when they study abroad is not well understood. This thesis has employed MacIntyre's "Willingness to Communicate" pyramid model (MacIntyre et al., 1998) as a theoretical model to underpin this study. An 18 month longitudinal study was carried out upon a group of 24 tertiary students from China who were undertaking an undergraduate degree in Britain. Qualitative data were gathered by means of carrying out 60 interviews employing a multi-lingual platform. The study sought to understand the factors which may influence the reasons for the changes in students' Willingness to Communicate and Communicative self-confidence as they studied in Britain and also to identify any additional variables influencing them. The results of this research showed there to be a wide range of factors influencing Chinese students' L2 communicative behaviour. Some of these factors were linked to their home and education background in China. Others were linked to how they responded to others in English within differing communicative contexts. This study concluded that Willingness to Communicative within a Chinese context to be a complex phenomena as Chinese students may respond to interlocutors in differing ways. Hence, this study has contributed to our understanding of Chinese learners of English in that a wide range of variables have been identified, which may impact upon Chinese students' communicative behaviour. The model which MacIntyre and his associates formed, was found to be a helpful model in comprehending Chinese student's L2 communicative behaviour. However, this study has developed MacIntyre's model by identifying other culturally specific factors which were not covered. This research has also enhanced our comprehension of Chinese students' communicative behaviour within authentic English speaking environments, with both native and non native English speakers. Finally, this study has highlighted that there are significant cognitive factors which also impact upon Chinese students' Willingness to Communicate, suggesting the need to undertake additional future research in order to further investigate this area.

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