Changes in Early Adolescent Students' Beliefs About the Causes of Social Success Across the Transition to Middle School
Using a longitudinal and racially diverse sample, this study examined early adolescent students' belief about the causes of social success. Students (N=425) completed the Beliefs about the Causes of Social Success Questionnaire in the fall of sixth grade at elementary school and again in the fall of seventh grade at middle school. Across the transition to middle school, beliefs in being sincere and being responsible as causes of social success decreased; whereas, beliefs in having status and being tough increased. Gender and ethnic differences were also found in both sixth and seventh grades. These results, especially those regarding sincerity and responsibility are cause for concern and should be further addressed by researchers, parents, teachers, and school officials.
School:
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Department:
Psychology
Research Advisor:
Lizanne Distefano
Department of Research Advisor:
Educational Psychology
Year of Publication:
2003