ED396193 CG025817

 

Title: Present and Possible Selves Across the Transition to Middle Grades School.
Author(s): Anderman, Eric M.; And Others
Author Affiliation: National Center for School Leadership, Urbana, IL.(BBB28334)
Pages: 10
Publication Date: February 1994
Notes: Paper presented at the Biennial Meeting of the Society for Research on Adolescence (San Diego, CA, February 9-13, 1994).
Sponsoring Agency: Office of Educational Research and Improvement (ED), Washington, DC. (EDD00036)
Contract No: R117C80003RT215A00430
Available from: EDRS Price MF01/PC01 Plus Postage.
Language: English
Document Type: Reports--Research (143); Speeches/meeting papers (150)
Geographic Source: U.S.; Michigan
Journal Announcement: RIENOV1996

Changes in students' (N=313) present and possible "good student" selves over the transition from elementary school to middle school are examined by this study. Findings indicate that both present and possible selves decline over the transition, and that the decline is greater for males than for females. Holding mastery goals is related to self-schemata at elementary and middle school. Self-efficacy is related to present and possible selves only during elementary school. Holding performance goals becomes related to one's future possible self during the sixth grade. This result corroborates other research suggesting that middle school environments are more focused on grades, comparisons, and relative ability than elementary schools. Three tables and one figure present data and statistical analysis. One table presents sample items for the student efficacy and goal orientation scales that were used in this study. Contains 11 references. (Author/TS)

Descriptors: Academic Aspiration; Adolescent Development; *Early Adolescents; Elementary Education; Elementary Schools; Grade 6; Grade 7; Intermediate Grades; *Junior High School Students; Junior High Schools; Middle Schools; *Self Concept; *Self Efficacy; *Self Esteem; *Self Motivation; Student Adjustment; Student Attitudes; Student Motivation