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The relation of locus‐of‐control orientation and task structure to problem‐solving performance of sixth‐grade student pairs
Author(s) -
Main June Dewey,
Rowe Mary Budd
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
journal of research in science teaching
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.067
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1098-2736
pISSN - 0022-4308
DOI - 10.1002/tea.3660300407
Subject(s) - locus of control , task (project management) , psychology , orientation (vector space) , cognitive psychology , control (management) , social psychology , computer science , mathematics , artificial intelligence , geometry , engineering , systems engineering
This study investigated the relationship of locus‐of‐control orientations and task structure to the science problem‐solving performance of 100 same‐sex, sixth‐grade student pairs. Pairs performed a four‐variable problem‐solving task, racing cylinders down a ramp in a series of trials to determine the 3 fastest of 18 different cylinders. The task was completed in one of two treatment conditions: the structured condition with moderate cuing and the unstructured condition with minimal cuing. Pairs completed an after‐task assessment, predicting the results of proposed cylinder races, to measure the ability to understand and apply task concepts. Overall conclusions were: (1) There was no relationship between locus‐of‐control orientation and effectiveness of problem‐solving strategy; (2) internality was significantly related to higher accuracy on task solutions and on after‐task predictions; (3) there was no significant relationship between task structure and effectiveness of problem‐solving strategy; (4) solutions to the task were more accurate in the unstructured task condition; (5) internality related to more accurate solutions in the unstructured task condition.