Perceived control, effort, and academic performance: Interindividual, intraindividual, and multivariate time-series analyses.

Abstract

A naturalistic study tested a model depicting how perceived control functions to regulate and interpret children's cognitive performances. Data, collected daily in the classroom over 4 mo, were organized around children's cognitive performances (graded assignments). For each homework and test, children provided information about effort, performance, attributions (effort, ability, concentration/help, task difficulty, and unknown causes), and expected control. The data formed a sequence of beliefs–performance–beliefs loops for each child. Although data at the interindividual level were consistent with the model, intraindividual data revised each link; furthermore, exploratory multivariate time-series analyses suggested that different models may best fit single Ss. Intraindividual implications included adding mediators to the model and designing interventions to fit individual children.