Electronic Library of Scientific Literature - © Academic Electronic Press

STUDIA PSYCHOLOGICA

Volume 45 / No. 1 / 2003

• GROWING ANTI-INTELLECTUALISM IN EUROPE; A MENACE TO SCIENCE
• MEETINGS OF PSYCHOLOGISTS FROM THE DANUBIAN COUNTRIES: A LITTLE STEP TOWARD EUROPEAN UNIFYING PROCESSES
• SELF-CONCEPT AND DISPOSITIONS TO SCHOOL EDUCATION: COMPARATIVE STUDY OF GROUPS OF CENTRAL AND WESTERN EUROPEANS
• EFFECT OF CREATIVITY TRAINING ON PRESCHOOL CHILDREN
• IMPARTING EDUCATION IN HUMAN VALUES TO PRIMARY EDUCATION STUDENTS AND TESTING IT BY IMPLEMENTING A MORAL MATURITY SCALE
• INTRINSIC VS. EXTRINSIC ORIENTATION IN THE CLASSROOM AND SELF-REGULATED LEARNING
• SOCIAL NORMS IN DIFFERENT PERSONALITY AND GENDER GROUPS
• RECOGNITION OF AUTISM IN YOUNG CHILDREN

Abstract: This article deals with the nature and causes of a growing criticism on scientific achievements in the public debate and media. Three forms of opposition are distinguished: anti-science, para-science, and pseudo-science. In particular pseudo-scientific expressions in psychology are elaborated, focussing on pseudo-scientific theories, pseudo-scientific diagnostics, and pseudo-scientific treatments and therapies. Examples of all three manifestations are discussed. Finally an number of arguments are given for the particular popularity of pseudo-scientific moonshine in psychology.

Key words: anti-science, pseudo-science, graphology, neuro-linguistic programming

pp. 5-13

Abstract: Elementary characteristics are used to describe traditional professional events - not conferences or seminars - but Meetings of Psychologists of the Danube Countries (1967-1993). After the first three held in Slovakia, they then took place successively in all the countries (excepting Romania) through which the mighty European river - the Danube - flows. They were attended by foremost experts from research institutes (Academies of Sciences) and Universities - over 500 in all. The study describes the strategic import of the Meetings and selectively also some of their gains and results.

Key words: psychology in Central-European countries, communication between "Western" and "Eastern" psychologists, Institute of Experimental Psychology SASc.

pp. 15-19

Abstract: The main definition of self-concept and its contemporary understanding is underlined. What is meant by the expression "dispositions to school education" are phenomena such as attitudes to school, motive to achieve, beliefs about personal control over learning, external constraints on learning, etc. The aim of the research is to find the expression of individual areas of self-concept and dispositions to school education. A group of Slovenian and a group of British high school students participated in the study. The results of ANOVA as well as of the discriminant analysis showed significant differences as regards nationality. For example, British participants exceeded Slovenians in many areas of self-concept and the Britons' attitude to school is more positive than that of their Slovene counterparts. The results are interpreted in the light of particular personality and nationality differences.

Key words: dispositions to school education, attitudes to school, motive to achieve, trust in self- abilities, self-concept

pp. 21-35

Abstract: The study presents research findings of the evaluation of a creativity training program designed for preschool children. Application of the program influenced the production of creative responses and remained effective even five months after its end. The program could become a part of the educational activity in preschool facilities.

Key words: creativity, creativity development program, preschool age

pp. 37-42

Abstract: The general objective of this study is to expose fourth and fifth grade primary education students to the Educational Human Values (EHV) Program, and to test its effectiveness by implementing a Moral Maturity Scale. The EHV Program was developed by June Auton in England and consisted of five core values called Truth, Love, Peace, Right Conduct, and Non- Violence, and forty-four sub-values. This study is a quasi-experimental one. A model involving a pre-test-post-test control group has been implemented in the study. The target group of our study consisted of fourth and fifth grade primary education orphan students. The result has verified that the EHV Program would improve the moral maturity levels of the students who participated.

Key words: Education Human Values, Moral Maturity Scale, primary education student, orphanage children, value education

pp. 43-50

Abstract: The study explored whether students (5th and 6th grades of elementary school) can be classified into groups according to their motivational orientation in learning (motivational and informational components) and assessed relationship between these orientations, academic achievement and various components of self-regulated learning (goal orientations, perceived control, learning strategies, values and self-esteem). It was found that intrinsic orientation in the classroom was positively correlated with self-regulated learning. In addition, it seems that intrinsically motivated students at this age profit from their dependence on teacher to tell them what, when and how to do something. On the contrary, extrinsic motivation was less correlated with self-regulated learning. This proved especially true of students with high performance-orientation and dependence on teacher to tell them what to do.

Key words: intrinsic vs. extrinsic orientation, self-regulated learning

pp. 51-63

Abstract: To gauge this effect, Sheriff's Autokinesis and Asch's Visual Perception Test were employed. In all 100 subjects were randomly selected from Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla, India, comprising 50 introverts and 50 extraverts with an equal number of males and females. A mixed design 2x2x(5) was employed for Sheriff's study where 5 stages were taken as repeated variables and a 2x2 factorial design was used for Asch's study. The data were analyzed by ANOVA. The findings are: l) Social norms are retained better by introverts and females. Both the groups show   less variation   in the retention of social norms   than   extraverts   and males. 2) Introverts and females yield to social pressure significantly more when compared to extraverts and males because they consider influence as conforming to social norms which is due to socialization practices coupled with the genetic makeup in females and introverts respectively. Expectedly, in Sheriff's Autokinesis, the three-factor interaction has been found to be significant.

Key words: social norms, introversion, extraversion gender group

pp. 65-74

Abstract: The paper aims at describing the early clinical and developmental profile of autism in children less than five years of age. Twenty four consecutive children younger than 60 months (Mean = 40.8) with a clinical diagnosis of autism as per DSM IV criteria were recruited from the Department of Pediatrics, PGIMER, Chandigarh. In addition, all children obtained scores within the autistic range (Mean = 38.2) on the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS). The developmental status of each child was assessed using the Developmental Profile II and the Indian adaptation of the Vineland Social Maturity Scale. Six behavioral characteristics including absence of imaginative play (100%), lack of emotional and social/emotional reciprocity (95.8%), impairment in use of non-verbal behavior (87.5%), impaired peer relationships (87.5%), no mode of communication (83.3%) and restricted range of interests (79.2%) were more salient than other behavioral characteristics such as insistence on routines (8.3%), impairment in ability to initiate conversation (12.5%), stereotyped use of language (16.7%) and pre-occupation with parts of objects (37.5%). Developmental testing revealed that children with autism have weaker socialization and communication skills. Some behavioral characteristics may be more important than others for the early diagnosis of autism.

Key words: autism, young children, early recognition, developmental disorders

pp. 75-80

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