title: Locus of control, self-control, and family income as predictors of young children's mathematics and science scores.
abstract: Locus of control, self-control, and family income were investigated as possible predictors of 138 young children's mathematics and science scores. The children, 60 boys and 78 girls, ranging from 4 to 8 years of age (M = 5.4, SD = 1.3) were administered the Stephens-Delys Reinforcement Contingency Interview Scale, the Self-control Rating Scale, the Comprehensive Mathematics Inventory, and a science test based on the work of D. K. Dickinson. Analysis showed mathematics scores were positively related to income, locus of control, and science scores. Mathematics and science scores were negatively related to lack of self-control. Also, science scores were positively related to locus of control. Multiple regression analysis with mathematics as the dependent variable indicated income had the greatest predictive value followed by self-control and locus of control. The multiple regression model of science was also significant, with locus of control having the greatest influence followed by self-control.
authors.affiliation: School of Human Environmental Sciences, University of Arkansas, 72701, USA. ssmartin@uark.edu
authors.forename: Sue
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: James A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Meyer
authors.forename: Laverne
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Nelson
authors.forename: Vernoice
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Baldwin
authors.forename: Ling
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ting
authors.forename: Deloris
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sterling
mesh_terms: D001076:Aptitude; D001364:Awareness; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004521:Educational Measurement; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income; D007206:Individuality; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008297:Male; D008433:Mathematics; D012586:Science; D012649:Self Concept; D012951:Socialization