JOURNAL OF PSYCHOLOGY AND EDUCATION
Year:2009 | Volume:39 | Issue:3|Papers Count:8

The main purpose of this article is the evaluation of achievement of new science curriculum at the primary school level in Iran. IR of. Iranian fourth graders showed increased 34 marks in science exam in TIMSS 2003 comparing to their performance eight years before in TIMSS 1995. TlMSS project Thas a classification of science goals that helps participating countries In analyzing 'performance level of of their students. By this classification. There are four performance benchmarks that are arranged from easy level to very hard one. The low, intermediate, high and advanced benchmarks are the four levels. The low and intermediate benchmarks levels are more compatible with “memory oriented” science curriculum (the previous science curriculum of I.R. Iran) and the high and advanced benchmarks are very compatible with “process-oriented” curriculum. The increased marks percent of TIMSS 2003 of Iranian students in low benchmark is 16% and in intermediate benchmark is 13%, whereas the increased marks at high benchmark is 4% and at advanced benchmark is 1%. The results of this research showed implicitly the non-achievement of “process-oriented” curriculum due to weak performance at high and advanced benchmark levels. The increased performance at low and intermediate levels can be interpreted for using the old curriculum skills by teachers for new science curriculum in TIMSS 2003.

In order to understand chronic pain in multiple sclerosis (M.S) patients, the biopsychosocial models have been introduced. In these models environmental and psychological factors are considered as an important aspect with the pain adjustment. But until now, these models have not been studied in M.S patient. The present research aims to evaluate correlation between two psychological variables (ego strength) and pain intensity. Therefore, 237 M.S patients were selected by convenience sampling from Isfahan M.S association. Ego strength questionnaire and Multidimensional Pain Inventory administered. The data was analyzed by correlation, regression analysis and MANOVA analysis. The results revealed that there was a positive correlation among Ego strength and pain intensity and these factors can anticipate pain intensity also the result of manova indicated that there are significant differences between ego strength and pain intensity in 4 type of disease. The present study has provided empirical evidences for biopsychosocial models and indicated that the psychological factors effect on pain intensity experience.

The present research investigates the contribution of epistemological beliefs in regulation of learning (self-regulation and external regulation) with regards to the mediating role of motivational constructs and information processing strategies. The data were obtained from Tehran University students (290 females' 190 male. Selection was based on a multi- stage, stratified sampling. Our questionnaires consisted of 6 subscales (epistemological beliefs, study interest, academic self-efficacy, test anxiety, approaches to learning and regulation of learning). Structural equations model has been used for data analysis. The results confirmed the significant direct effects of epistemological beliefs on motivational constructs (academic self-efficacy, study interest and test anxiety) and also the similar effects of motivational constructs (with the exception of study interest) on Information processing strategies (deep, surface and strategic) and information processing strategies on regulation of learning (self-regulation and external regulation). On the other hand, academic self-efficacy and test anxiety had significant mediating effects on the relationship between epistemological beliefs and regulation of learning.

The present study compares the life aspirations of junior students in the field of education and psychology in Iran and America. 65 American undergraduate students (in West Virginia University and Boston University) and 55 Iranian undergraduate students (from Shiraz University) were selected by random cluster sampling. The participants were responded via a researcher-constructed questionnaire. The results demonstrated that in response to all of the three goal priorities, Iranian students determined their goals as "continuing their studies", "marriage and family formation" and 'moral development". Meanwhile the priorities of American students were "marriage and family formation", "economic development" and 'finishing their current study". It was further evidenced that more than 90 percent of Iranian students determined their ideal goal in education as doctorate and post doctorate, while only 31 percent of American students mentioned this level of education. In addition, in relation to accessible aims in education, 65 percent of Iranian students mentioned to doctorate and post doctorate levels, while only 3 percent of American students pointed out to this level of education. In relation to occupational goal, again it was found a significant difference "between two groups. In this regard about half of the Iranian students mentioned that their career goal is "becoming academic university staff", while only 8 percent of American students selected this aim. The findings of the study were discussed in relation to "environmental pressure", "social deprivation" and "self-determimition" theories.

The goal of this study was the prospective investigation of self-knowledge processes and defensive styles on health during the stressful period of final examination among university students. 177 students (male=69, female=108) responded to integrative self-knowledge scales (ISKS; Ghorbani, 1385), mindfulness scale (MS; Brown & Ryan, 2003), defensive styles questionnaire (DSQ; Andrews, Singh & Bond, 1993). A list of illnesses (SMUHQ; Watson & Pennebaker, 1989), While symptom checklist scales (SCHS; Barton, 1995) and subjective vitality scale (SVS; Ryan. & Fredrick, 1997) were repeatedly examined (five times) during the exams. Data revealed that integrative self integrative self-knowledge, can predict vitality, symptoms, illness and healthy defensive styles better than the mindfulness. Integrative self-knowledge predicted vitality within the stressful period. The results were discussed based on integrative importance of self-knowledge processes.

Aim of the current study was to investigate the relationship between "attachment styles to God" and "Reliance on God" in college students. To achieve the stated goal, 494 college students (299 female & 195 male), were selected by means of multistage cluster sampling and the following instruments were administered on them: attachment to God Inventory (Rowatt, and Kirkpatrick, 2002), and Approaching Daily Hassles and stressors Questionnaire (Ghobary et al., 2003). Using multiple correlation analysis, results indicated that positive significant correlations existed between dimensions of reliance on God and secure attachment style. Also, negative significant correlation was observed between dimensions of reliance on God ad anxious or avoidant styles. Moreover, male students showed more avoidant attachment styles whereas females were higher in all dimensions of reliance on God and surrender to God.

Life meaning is one of the fundamental questions for human being that we could trace in the majority of schools of thought, religious attitudes mysticism psychotherapy as well as psychocognitive. Each had posited a different response. Attitude to the life meaning is a function of human attitude to existence, God and their relations. By defining any of the above components, would set the stage for re-assessment of the meaning of life. We earlie explained the meaning of life in the Viktor Frankie's View. (Sharafi, 2005). Now we explain this concept in the Islamic View. In the first part of this essay we point to the necessity of life meaning from philosophic approach. The second part points to the human being's wished and their reply to them from the standpoint of developmental psychology. In the third part, we point to the four attitudes about life meaning. These attitudes consist of: Deontologism, Consequentialism, Sentimentalism and Rational feeling. The last part of this essay we point to this subject that the solving life meaning means that the many of complex problems like suffering, illness, death and after death, fear and negative attitudes to the life are solution.

Teacher's efficacy is defined as teachers' belief in their goal-achieving abilities and competences, to have a positive effect on students learning and to engage their students in academic activities. This study investigates the relationship between teacher efficacy (Efficacy in Student Engagement, Instructional Strategies and Classroom Management), teacher characteristics (sex and teaching experience), and students' academic achievement in primary education. Participants included 364 teachers (male & female) randomly selected from primary schools in Tabriz. The data were collected in two steps. First, teachers completed 24-item Teachers' Sense of Teacher's Efficacy Scale (OSTSE) (Tschannen-Moran, Woolfolk Hoy, 2001) and questionnaire that assessed teachers' sex and exp-erience. Next, students' grade point average (GPA) were calculated as an indicator of achievement. Results indicated that teacher efficacy is able to predict 60% of variation of students' achievement, efficacy in student engagement as a component of teacher efficacy is the best predictor of students achievement, teacher experience was significant predictor of students academic achievement. teacher efficacy positively related to the teacher experience and there was no differences between male teacher' and female teacher' sense of efficacy and students academic achievement.