LONGITUDINAL-STUDY OF ATTITUDE DEVELOPMENT IN PRE-ADOLESCENT, EARLY, AND LATER ADOLESCENT SAMPLES

Examined changes in attitude over a 1-yr period in 382 pre-, early, and later adolescent Ss. Attitudes toward self (i.e., self-esteem--Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory), toward events and one's ability to control them (i.e., locus of control--Nowicki-Strickland Locus of Control Scale), and toward achievement (i.e., achievement motivation--Prestatie Motivatie Test) were examined. Results do not support the hypothesis that early adolescence is a time of dramatic change in important attitudes and perceptions. Instead, the amount of attitudinal change evidenced by Ss at each age level varied with the kind of attitude being assessed. (25 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved). © 1979 American Psychological Association.