Positive Attitudinal Change Research Articles

The effect of alternative assessment on the attitudes and achievement in mathematics of female pre-service teachers in Ghana

This paper examines the effect of exposing one of two groups of preservice female teachers to alternate forms of assessment. Both groups were first year students in a teacher training college and received 8 weeks of normal instruction in mathematics content and traditional assessment by the same teacher. The students were interviewed on their attitudes towards mathematics before and after instruction. In addition, the students took two pretests and corresponding posttests. The external achievement tests were similar to the 1997 Mathematics Paper of the Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSSCE) and the internal achievement tests were based on the content of instruction. The results of the study showed significant improvement in both the internal and external achievement of the experimental group, but only significant improvement in the internal achievement of the control group. Also, the experimental group achieved higher gains on both achievement tests than the control group. Students in the experimental group exhibited greater positive attitudinal changes and expressed the benefits they derived from the alternative assessment activities in their journals and portfolios. Suggestions for intervention programmes to improve female pre-service teachers' attitudes, achievement and participation in mathematics are discussed. African Journal of Educational Studies in Mathematics and Sciences Vol. 1, 2001: 21-30

The effect of first year mental health fieldwork on attitudes of occupational therapy students towards people with mental illness

Background and Aims: Despite recent initiatives to reduce stigma towards people with mental illness, negative attitudes persist both in the community and among health professionals. Fieldwork experience has been identified as the most powerful way of modifying the attitudes of health professional students. Research to date suggests that later placements tend to have a more positive effect on attitudes than do earlier placements. However, inconsistencies within the literature suggest that it is the nature of the fieldwork experience that is the critical factor. We set out to investigate whether a program of fieldwork that included a tutorial component would bring about positive attitudinal change in first year occupational therapy students. Methods: We conducted secondary analysis of data collected from first year students before and after first year fieldwork experience in mental health settings. Student statements were rated to identify positive versus negative attitudes, and attitudinal themes were analysed. Results: Quantitative analysis revealed that students made significantly more statements reflecting positive attitudes following fieldwork than they did before. From pre‐ to post‐fieldwork, attitudinal themes changed from: people with mental illness as different, fear of people with mental illness, and a deficit focus of mental illness, to: the ‘ordinariness’ of people with mental illness, students’ understanding of people with mental illness, and an enabling approach to people with mental illness. Conclusions: A program of fieldwork that includes a structured tutorial component can bring about positive changes in the attitudes of first year students towards people with mental illness.

Closing the Savings Gap? The Role of the Saving Gateway

The 2001 election manifesto committed Labour to introducing two innovative policies designed to increase savings and assets among future generations, and the low-income families of today. The Child Trust Fund aims to provide all children with an endowment of assets when they reach the age of 18. Child Trust Fund accounts became available in April 2005 to all children born from 1 September 2002. The Saving Gateway offers a new savings account for lower-income families, designed to encourage savings. The first Saving Gateway pilot took place between 2002 and 2004; a second, larger pilot is currently underway. This article outlines the key findings from the evaluation of the first Saving Gateway pilot.1 Overall, the results are positive—the scheme has encouraged participants to save, and to save regularly. In addition, it seems to have resulted in positive psychological and attitudinal changes among a significant proportion of participants.

Knowledge of and attitude towards road traffic codes among commercial motorcycle riders in Anambra State

Road traffic accidents (rtas) represent a major epidemic of non communicable disease in the country and has since escalated with the introduction of the new phenomenon of commercial motorcycle transportation such as is found in the two urban towns of nnewi and Awka of Anambra state, Nigeria. making use of a pre-tested, semi structured, interviewer administered questionnaire, relevant data on socio demographic and motorcycle characteristics were collected from a sample of commercial motorcyclists selected by systematic sampling technique. their knowledge of and attitude towards road traffic and safety codes were elicited. The result showed that the all-male commercial motorcyclists had a mean age of 30+8.9 years. one hundred and seventy six (32.6%) possessed good knowledge of road traffic codes and safety, while 35 (6.5%) exhibited good attitude towards them. both knowledge of and attitude towards traffic codes and safety improved with increase in educational level (p<0.005, p<0.001 respectively). the younger motorcyclists also possessed statistically significant better knowledge of traffic codes than their older counterparts (p<0.025). attitude to traffic codes and safety had no association with age of the motorcyclists (p>0.25). the study has provided useful information on the knowledge of and attitude towards road traffic and safety codes among commercial motorcyclists in nigeria. pursuit of knowledge through formal and informal education should run pari pasu with efforts to improve the nigerian economy in order to ensure a sustainable positive attitudinal change towards road traffic codes and safety among commercial motorcyclists.

Effects of different types of preparatory information on attitudes toward hypnosis

AbstractThis paper examines how attitudes of initially reluctant subjects towards hypnosis are influenced by three different approaches to introducing the topic. Participants (N = 90) were assigned to one of three experimental conditions: minimal information, cognitive‐behavioural information and trance information. All three groups showed positive changes in attitudes toward hypnosis. Contrary to our expectations, positive attitudinal changes were not diminished for subjects exposed to trance information. Groups given trance and cognitive‐behavioural explanations demonstrated significantly greater collaboration compared to the control group. No differences in hypnotic suggestibility were obtained. Copyright © 2005 British Society of Experimental and Clinical Hypnosis

Does Peace Education Make a Difference in the Context of an Intractable Conflict?

Peace education in regions of intractable conflict faces a number of severe challenges, such as conflicting collective narratives, shared histories and beliefs, grave inequalities, excessive emotionality, and unsupportive social climates. In this light, the chances of success for peace education programs are rather slim. A series of quasi-experimental studies carried out with Israeli-Jewish and Palestinian youngsters revealed that despite the ongoing violence, participation in various programs yields positive attitudinal, perceptual, and relational changes manifested in, for example, more positive views of peace, better ability to see the other side's perspective, and greater willingness for contact. These changes depend on participants' initial political views, and thus, as found in one study, play an attitude-reinforcing function, but, as found in another study, prevent the worsening of perceptions of and attribution to the other side, thereby serving in a preventive capacity.

The Impact of Practitioner Presentations on Student Attitudes About Accounting

Accounting professors and admissions personnel are keenly aware that the number of college students majoring in accounting has declined sharply over the last 10 or 15 years. The authors of this article argue that carefully planned practitioner presentations in the first introductory accounting course can help stem this decline. They administered pre- and postcourse questionnaires to four sections of the Introductory Accounting I course (c. 140 students). In two of the four sections of the course, students were exposed to two 30-minute presentations by two different groups of accounting practitioners. The data revealed that students who attended presentations displayed far more positive attitudinal changes toward accountants, the accounting profession, and careers in accounting.

ASSESSING CHANGES IN ATTITUDES ABOUT AGING: PERSONAL REFLECTIONS AND A STANDARDIZED MEASURE

Research has shown that learning more about successful aging and the aging process can be reflected in positive attitudinal change. Further,individuals having frequent contact with older adults generally have more positive attitudes. The purpose of the present study was to assess attitudinal change in two gerontology courses, one sophomore and one senior-level, using two methods of measurement: a standardized measure, the Aging Semantic Differential (ASD) and self-reported beliefs about older adults. A secondary goal was to facilitate meaningful interaction by requiring students to conduct a structured life-history interview with an older adult. The sample consisted of 55 students with a mean age of 27. Students completed the ASD and the self-reports at the beginning of the semester and after completing their interviews. Students also were asked to reflect upon any changes in attitude over the time period between assessments. In both classes, results of repeated measures MANOVA on the ASD indicated significant positive attitudinal change from pretest to posttest. Content analysis of self-reported beliefs provided converging validation. While students indicated classroom activities as important for attitudinal development, many specifically cited the interview activity as an influential and valuable experience.

The Making of a Community Policing Officer: The Impact of Basic Training and Occupational Socialization on Police Recruits

This study examines the impact of basic training, field training, and work environment on shaping police recruits' attitudes and beliefs related to community policing, problem-solving policing, and police public relations. A multiple-treatment, single-case pretest-posttest design was used to survey 446 police recruits from 14 successive basic-training academy classes at the Phoenix Regional Police Training Academy. The sample of police recruits was followed through the 606.5-hour, 16-week basic-training program and then through field training and the completion of a 1-year probationary period. Over 16 months, they were surveyed at four points and times. Findings reveal that although the training academy has a positive impact on police recruits' attitudes related to community policing and problem solving, over time, those positive attitudinal changes dissipate as police recruits proceed to their respective police agencies where they are assigned a field training officer and are exposed to the work environment and organizational culture.

Maitland Youth Outdoor Experience

Hi everyone, my name is Brendan Barrett. I'm the Program Coordinator at Point Wolstoncroft Sport and Recreation Centre. My main responsibilities are the design and delivery of programs to our clients. With most other Wolstoncroft Sport and Recreation staff, I recently trained in the Department's "Courage to Care" initiative--aiming to upskill staff in delivering "experiential learning". I think you'll hear quite a bit about experiential learning this weekend, so rather than debating its educational merits, I've decided to tell you about what the training meant for me, and how I've applied it in a recent program that I've facilitated. I want to describe to you where I was before the training, so that you can get a bit of an insight into my professional evolution. I came across a story by Dr Charles Garfield, which illustrates this in a way that really hit home to me. I'll read it to you now: If you've ever gone through a tollbooth, you know that your relationship to the person in the booth is not the most intimate you'll ever have. Its one of life's frequent nonencounters. Late one morning in 1984, headed for lunch in San Francisco, I drove towards a tollbooth and heard loud music. It appeared to be coming from the tollbooth I was headed for. Inside it the man was dancing. "What are you doing?" I asked. "I'm having a party," came the reply. "Aren't the people in the other booths invited?" I asked, noting that he was the only one dancing. "What do those look like to you?" he asked pointing at the row of booths. "They look like tollbooths.... What do they look like to you?" He said "Vertical coffins. At 8.30 every morning, live people get in. Then they die for 8 hours. At 4.30, like Lazarus rising from the dead, they reemerge and go home. For 8 hours, their brain is on hold, they're dead on the job--going through the motions" I was amazed; this guy had developed a philosophy for his job, 16 people dead on the job, but the 17th in exactly the same circumstances, figures out a way to live. I couldn't help asking "Why is it different for you? You're having a good time" He looked at me, "I don't understand why anyone would think my job is boring. I have a corner office, glass, on all sides. I can see the Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco and the Berkeley Hills. Half the Western world wants what I've got ... and I just stroll in every day and practice dancing" So there I was, in my vertical coffin, thinking what a loony this bloke dancing in the tollbooth was--but wishing I knew how to get as much enjoyment out of my job as he obviously did. I'm also sure that he gave his customers an unique and memorable experience. I cringe to think that the people I've taught could possibly think of me as one of those braindead. tollbooth operators--just doing my job, and not, having any lasting impact on the people that I interact with. The Experiential Learning training helped me to realise that my success as a facilitator was more reliant on my approach and philosophy, than on say .... my ability, to belay someone down an abseil drop--both for my personal satisfaction & for the experience I could give my clients. So, when the opportunity to team up with the PCYC, the Samaritans & the Department of Education and Training--to deliver a program for targetted "Youth at Risk", arose--I thought "Perfect, I'll give this Experiential Learning a go." The program was conceived by Senior Constable Graeme Deeves from Maitland PCYC, who is a former Program Director from Lake Keepit Sport and Rec Centre. The purpose of the program, was to provide opportunities for--to use Deevesy's terminology--"Kids living on the ragged edge"--to experience outdoor adventure activities, in the hope that they would promote positive behavioural, attitudinal and lifestyle changes. Pretty lofty goals, admittedly, but to borrow an expression from George Bernard Shaw "Some men see things the way they are and ask why. …

Impact assessment of school-based sex education program amongst adolescents.

This was a cross-sectional, interview-based study to assess the impact of sex education on the students and the feasibility of such a program. Study sample consisted of 189 students from two secondary schools of Surat city. Impact was assessed by "before and after" administration of questionnaires. Statistical analysis was done by Z tests for difference of means and proportions. Sex education influenced the need perception and the knowledge of the students. After the training, the preferred mean age to start sex education in the two sexes converged to be 15-16 years. Doctors remained the first choice to impart the sex education, followed by school teachers. Knowledge about the STDs and the method(s) of prevention improved significantly (more in boys). Optimum days for conception became known to more students after the training and the gain was more in girls. Increased awareness about the contraceptives (condoms) use was evident in boys and (oral pills and condoms) in girls. The training improved the participation of girls in the post-evaluation program. A positive attitudinal change was observed after the training, towards extra-marital sex. It also removed the myths associated with masturbation. All students were satisfied with the programme, however, two-third of boys considered the duration insufficient.

Enhancing English Language Skills using Multimedia: Tried and Tested

This article reports on a research project conducted at the City University of Hong Kong which evaluated the effectiveness of a multimedia-based English language learning programme. A major component of the project was the development and production of an interactive multimedia CD-ROM, Business English, which constituted the basis for the enhanced English language proficiency programme. Results of the study indicate that students who completed the syllabus in a multimedia-enhanced mode demonstrated significant improvement in listening skills when compared with students who completed the same syllabus in the traditional classroom mode. The results also demonstrate positive attitudinal changes for the multimedia-enhanced mode of learning. Additionally, the article elaborates on the teaching-learning experience from the student and facilitator perspective.

Correctional Boot Camps, Attitudes, and Recidivism

With the growing disaffection toward customary crime control policies, many citizens and public policy makers have concluded that conventional sanctions have failed to control crime. Instead of continuing to lock up offenders in traditional prison settings, a variety of alternative sanctions have been created. One of the fastest growing of the new approaches has been the correctional boot camp. In 1984, only Georgia and Oklahoma had boot camps, but by 1994 36 states operated such programs. The popularity of boot camps undoubtedly is based on the public's perceived demand for a correctional alternative that offers retribution, deterrence, and rehabilitation. Boot camp programs vary tremendously from state to state, but the strict military regimen is present in all programs. Past research has shown positive attitudinal change in boot camp trainees, and ideally this change should result in reduced recidivism. However, a number of researchers have shown that there are few differences in recidivism rates among boot camp graduates, probationers, and traditionally incarcerated offenders. This research focuses on Oklahoma's first-time offenders sentenced between 1989 and 1991, and an additional group of boot camp inmates surveyed in 1994. The analysis reveals that boot camp graduates recidivated more frequently than either traditionally incarcerated inmates or probationers. The implication is that boot camp programs should be implemented cautiously, and continuously evaluated to determine what elements influence program success.

Promoting Inclusive Sport and Leisure Participation: Evaluation of the Paralympic Day in the Schools Model

A field study was conducted to evaluate Paralympic Day in the Schools, a school-based visiting consultant model designed to encourage inclusive participation in sport and leisure. Information was sought relative to selected behaviors of respondents and perceptions of inclusive sport and leisure. Middle and high school respondents with and without disabilities (n = 704) were more alike than different relative to demographic and psychosocial variables. A commitment to sport and leisure was reported, and few participation constraints were noted. Respondents with disabilities, however, were less likely to agree that it was important for them to participate in these activities with their peers without disabilities (t=2.09, p &lt; .05). Whereas the model demonstrated potential for facilitating inclusive participation, a lack of positive attitudinal change may be explained by the specific structure, leadership, and social context of the program.

‘To touch them, is to love them’: effects of direct experience with condoms on adolescents' attitudes toward condoms

A study conducted among 101 Belgian university students investigated the efficacy of a direct approach to condom promotion. 59% of students were sexually experienced. One month before the intervention students completed a questionnaire on attitudes toward condom use. 99% expressed the intention of using condoms with their next casual partner; 67% of sexually inexperienced students 68% of consistent condom users and 48% of non-users intended to use condoms with a future steady partner. One month later students were randomly assigned to four control groups or the treatment group. Those in the treatment group opened condom packages and unrolled the condoms. Controls completed a filler questionnaire on HIV (group 1) watched peers in the treatment group through a one-way mirror (group 2) focused on the colors and smells of condoms (group 3) or watched subjects from control group 3 (group 4). Contrary to expectation a short hands-on experience with condoms did not have a significant positive influence on global attitudes toward condoms or intended condom use. Overall attitudes toward condoms actually declined among students in the treatment group between measurement immediately after the intervention and follow-up 3 months later while there was no change in scores of controls. A post hoc analysis of control group data indicated that positive attitudinal changes and the intention to use condoms in the future were most influenced by activities that induced an affective focus (i.e. using condoms induces feelings of comfort arousal love and pleasure).

CHANGES IN NURSING STUDENTS’ ATTITUDES AND WORK PREFERENCES AFTER A GERONTOLOGY CURRICULUM

Changes in nursing students’ perceptions of and preferences for working with the elderly population after completion of a bachelor's program in nursing science were examined. Students (N = 45) officially entered the nursing program in the first semester of their junior year. The curriculum involved a wide range of clinical experiences and geriatric information. In a pre‐/ post‐test design, the Perceptions of Aging and Elderly Inventory (PAEI) and the Elderly Patient Care Inventory (EPCI) were used to measure program impact. A paired t test of pre‐ and post‐test scores on the PAEI, revealed significant positive attitudinal changes, t (44) = 4.71, p < .01. Students also reported more favorable impressions toward patient care for the elderly, as measured by the EPCI, t (44) = 4.20, p < .01. Qualitative statements by the students provide a better understanding why some prospective nursing students choose to work with geriatric patients whereas others resist.

Changing Teacher Attitudes to Gifted Students through Inservice Training

This paper reports on the effectiveness of an intensive program of professional development in changing teachers’ attitudes toward gifted students and gifted education. Opposition to ability grouping and acceleration declined significantly over the course of the training program, and participants reported enhanced feelings of confidence and empowerment both as teachers of gifted students and as advocates for the rights of the gifted. The paper describes aspects of the training program which proved particularly powerful in effecting positive attitudinal change.

Measuring Attitudinal Change of Boot Camp Participants

Boot camp programs have gained enormous popularity over the past several years as a means of handling criminal offenders in the community. The benefits of using boot camps for offenders is evidenced primarily in cost savings over the use of imprisonment. This study sought to examine the benefits to offenders through the degree of positive attitudinal change in offenders themselves, the program, authority figures, services within the program, and offenders' perceptions of their future. Our findings reveal that participation in a local-level program generated significant and positive attitudinal change in probationers completing the program. Suggestions for future evaluation research within boot camp programs are made.

Comparative study of the efficacy of a self-help group for women following mastectomy using an investigator-generated attitude scale

s from C-L Forum visits to a medium. Further study is warranted to understand the relationship between nontraditional and traditional care and to identify ways of meeting patients’ cultural expectations within the traditional system. Comparative Study of the Efficacy of a Self-Help Group for Women Following Mastectomy Using an Investigator-Generated Attitude Scale S. Pimentel, 1. Romero, M. C. Cuevas National Cancer Instittlfe, Mexico City, DF Studies have shown the importance of an adequate rehabilitation program during the pre-, transand posttreatment phases of breast cancer. However, there are very few studies showing the efficacy of the role of patients as part of a therapeutic team through a self-help group. This study examined the efficacy of a mastectomy self-help group (RETO) through positive attitudinal changes. We examined statistical differences in attitudes between two groups of women after mastectomy: an experimental group that actively participated through RET0 and a control group that did not participate in RETO. To monitor changes in attitudes, we developed an instrument that measured attitudes using a semantic differentiation in seven specific attitudinal areas. The development of the instrument took 2 years, beginning with 250 items. Through five trials, we obtained a total of 56 items which covered the seven areas, with an internal consistency that makes the instrument reliable for our Mexican population. A group of 60 patients with breast cancer who were scheduled to undergo surgery was chosen, age range 20-80. Two groups of 30 each were randomly selected. The same questionnaire was applied twice to the patients at different intervals: immediately after the diagnosis and a month after surgery. Only the experimental group participated in the regular meetings once a week and had the opportunity to be assisted by a member of RETO. Results to be presented are the statistical differences in change of attitudes in both groups in six of the seven areas studies. Impaired Cognitive Functions in Chronic Pain Conditions: Comparing Common “Whiplash” with Nontraumatic Cervical Spine Syndrome B. P. Radanov, G. DiStefano, 1. Hirlinger Department of Psychiatry, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland Fifty-eight patients suffering from common “whiplash” (group wp) were compared with 35 patients complaining of cervical pain caused by rheumatism (group rh). Groups were comparable in regard to age, sex, and educational attainment, but differed regarding the length of the painful condition; the rh group suffered much longer. Patients underwent clinical psychiatric interview and formal testing which included personality profile, self-rating of cognitive impairment, and well-being. Tasks assessing divided attention and speed of information processing were administered. Clinical diagnosis revealed a relatively high incidence of adjustment disorder with mixed emotions (DSM-III-R 309.28) in group wp. Results on formal testing indicated marked reduction in divided attention in both groups, whereas the speed of information processing was almost unaffected. Differences between the groups were found with regard to self-rated cognitive impairment and well-being. In both tests, group rh indicated no particular problems whereas group wp suffered from gross impairment. On personality profile, group wp scored high on dimension “nervousness,” indicating considerable somatic discomfort. On other personality dimensions no differences were found between the groups, both groups also being comparable to statistical normals. Results indicated a significance of cervical spine pathology for attentional functioning for which the pain might be the central issue. Despite comparable results on formal testing of cognitive functions, groups differed in subjective cognitive impairment and in well-being. This difference could be assumed to reflect the mode in which the compared conditions developed: In group rh, the cervical pathology causing pain (and attentional impairment) developed gradually, giving the patient the possibility to adapt. In group wp, cervical pathology emerged abruptly by the impact injury. An adaptation was not possible, and thus led to problems in coping with the impairment, explaining in particular psychopathological changes.

A Short-Term Outcome Evaluation of the “I'M Special” Drug Abuse Prevention Program: A Revisit Using Scat Inventory

In the previous evaluation of "I'm Special" (ISP) drug abuse prevention/education program, the long-term impact was reported. The current study examines the short-term outcome of the ISP to establish a conceptual link between what has been observed longitudinally to the short-term outcome. The evaluation instrument used is children's Self-Concept Attitudinal (SCAT) Inventory. Subjects are the third grade students in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg public schools located in Charlotte, North Carolina. The evaluation design employed is before and after-measurement without a control group. In the absence of a control group, the treatment effect of the ISP is estimated on the basis of individual growth curve models. Through the study, it has been learned that the ISP was able to generate positive changes along six attitudinal dimensions included in the SCAT Inventory. The six scales have shown close relationships to student performance at school: student-teacher relationship; self-esteem, attitude toward school, basic social values, advanced social values, and the perception of family cohesiveness. Of these, the first four scales have shown statistical significance at the .05 level. It is estimated that the ISP is capable of generating a significant amount of positive attitudinal changes on a short-term basis with a time span of about four months between pre- and posttests. These findings are consistent with the conclusions obtained from the longitudinal study where student alcohol and other drug using behavior and other related student problem behaviors were significantly lower among the ISP recipients than non-recipients of the program.