Korean J Child Stud. 2000; 21(1): 45-57.

The Effects of Personal and Environmental Variables on Children's Perceived Competence

개인적 변인 및 환경적 변인이 아동의 유능감에 미치는 영향

서미정,김경연

Mi Jung Seo,Kyong Yeon Kim

This study investigated the effects of personal (gender, school grade and causal attribution for success and failure) and environmental (mother`s evaluation of their children and mother`s efficacy) variables on children`s perceived competence. The subjects were 595 fourth and sixth graders and their mothers selected from 3 elementary schools in Pusan. Children`s perceived competence was studied under 3 categories : scholastic, social, and athletic competence. Data were analyzed by SAS/PC＋ program. Internal attribution for the success had a positive influence on perceived competence while internal attribution for failure had a negative influence on perceived competence. Mother`s evaluation of their children had a stronger influence on perceived competence than mother`s efficacy. Mother`s evaluation of their children was the most influential variable in all 3 categories of competence while secondary and tertiary variables varied by internal attribution for success or failure and by gender.