Three methods for studying developmental change: a case of reading skills and self-concept.
OBJECTIVE
First, to introduce and compare three statistical methods for investigating development as a cumulative process: a simplex model, latent growth curve analysis, and clustering by cases. Second, to investigate the developmental dynamics of reading skills, and self-concept of reading ability, across the first year of primary school.


METHODS
One hundred and five (61 boys, 44 girls) 6- to 7-year-old children from four first-grade classes in two primary schools participated in the study.


METHODS
Children were studied three times during their first school year using an identical set of measurements: a Reading Skills Test and the Self-Concept of Ability scale.


RESULTS
A uni-construct 'Matthew' effect was found for the development of self-concept, but not for the reading skills. However, the results showed that there was a multi-construct cumulative cycle between children's reading skills and their self-concept.


CONCLUSIONS
Simultaneous use of variable- and person-oriented methods in developmental research seems to be a valuable approach, which not only provides a proper way to investigate the cumulative developmental cycles but also an option to examine how large a proportion of the sample follows the positive and negative pattern found in variable-oriented analyses.
Aunola
Kaisa
K
Department of Psychology, University of Jyväskylä, Finland. AUNOLA@PSYKA.JYU.FI
Leskinen
Esko
E
Onatsu-Arvilommi
Tiina
T
Nurmi
Jari-Erik
JE
D002648:Child; D002657:Child Development; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008960:Models, Psychological; D011932:Reading; D012649:Self Concept