Date Approved

5-2-2007

Embargo Period

3-29-2016

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

M.A. in School Psychology

Department

Educational Services and Leadership

College

College of Education

Advisor

Epifanio, Frank

Committee Member 1

Dihoff, Roberta

Subject(s)

Hispanic American students--New Jersey--Psychology; Minorities--Education

Disciplines

Educational Psychology

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between locus of control, assimilation/acculturation and academic performance of a group of students in a Southern New Jersey, urban middle school. It was hypothesized that the more assimilation/acculturation of Hispanic students into the Anglo culture a more internal locus of beliefs will be demonstrated and a better academic performance. A total of 137 students participated in this study. Data was collected using a LOC survey and a SASH-Y survey. An Anova-One Way and a Two-Way Anova were used to determine the relationship of these variables. The results demonstrated a connection between LOC and academic performance and also, a connection between assimilation/ acculturation and academic performance. It was not possible to establish a relationship between LOC and assimilation/acculturation of Hispanic students because none of the students surveyed scored external locus of beliefs. This study demonstrated that students with an internal locus of control showed better academic achievement than those with external locus of control, and also those with a higher level of acculturation demonstrated better academic performance.

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