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Abstract

171 boys and girls in Grade 4 from schools in three different socio-economic areas were tested on a hand-dynamometer task to determine the effects of social norms on level of aspiration. One-half of the subjects received high social-norm feedback (failure), while the other half received low social-norm feedback (success). Analysis of variance of discrepancy scores indicated that rural girls' aspirations were significantly lowered in the success situation and inner city girls' aspirations were significantly raised in the failure situation. Social norms had greater influence on girls' than boys' aspirations for performance. The results suggest that elementary school children's level of aspiration can be altered through social-norm anchoring, but the nature of these changes varies according to the sex and socio-economic status of the child.

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Social Norms and Level of Aspiration in Children

Abstract

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References