Effects of the Future Problem Solving Program On Children's Concerns About the Future

Abstract

The first purpose of this study was to determine whether gifted students participating in the Future Problem Solving Program would feel that they had more control over their futures than either other gifted or average-ability students. The second purpose was to determine whether participants' concerns about the future would differ from those of nonparticipants. The final purpose was to determine the most frequently mentioned concerns about the future of these groups of children. Subjects were from a medium-sized city in the Southwest and were fourth, fifth, and sixth graders. Results showed significant differences in students perceptions of their control over the future and their concerns about the future. There were also differences among their most frequently mentioned concerns. Students in the Future Problem Solving Program were interested in more global issues than nonparticipants and were more positive about their control over the future.