Academic researchers tend not to study dysfunctional, disturbing or malfeasant administrative and organizational behaviors in the higher education (HE) sector; yet, a variety troubling things regularly take place in HE. This article offers some 'conceptual spadework' to open up the muted discussion about this disquieting aspect of the sector. We…

The purpose of this study is to identify common traits shared by first-generation college graduates from disadvantaged backgrounds who grew up in the inner-city. This research was inspired by Duckworth's grit research at Westpoint Academy which sought to predict which cadets would graduate (Duckworth, 2007). Sixty-three first-generation college…

The need to develop an integrative readiness of future specialists is a relevant scientific problem. The reasons for this could be based on the fact that that the specialists-to-be were expected to be involved in the fierce competition for vacancies and areas of activity, have modern information and communication tools, i.e. have an integrative…

This study focused on China's higher education system and explored if personality traits were a mediator of the relationship between motivational mechanisms and continuous improvement, and further explored if leadership change was a moderator of the relationship between personality traits and continuous improvement of the motivations and student…

This book presents the most comprehensive discussion of emerging trends in higher education in the Asia Pacific, ranging from graduate attributes to integrated workplace learning, with an in-depth focus on work readiness, employability and career development. It draws on the relationship between graduate attributes and employability, as well as…

This article presents the structure and the composition of a newly developed multifaceted test battery for the measurement of creativity within scientific and artistic domains. By integrating existing procedures for the evaluation of creativity, the new battery promises to become a comprehensive assessment of creativity, encompassing both…

The purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which non-cognitive constructs (personality, thinking styles, motivation, and psychological well-being) would predict self-reported creativity across different domains among 266 college students. Consistent with hypotheses, openness, legislative thinking styles, and intrinsic motivation were…

Scores of colleges and universities have pledged to promote lifelong learning in their most central document, the mission statement. Moreover, "A Test of Leadership: Charting the Future of Higher Education," the report from the Secretary of Education's Commission on the Future of Higher Education (2006), stresses the importance of lifelong…

Lack of effort-perceived controllability of need for help-anger-neglect and lack of ability-perceived uncontrollability-pity-help form two constellations. There was also evidence of an attribution-affect-action motivational sequence, in which thoughts determine what we feel and feelings determine what we do. (Author/CP)

Private self-consciousness (PSC) refers to the dispositional tendency to be attentive to the private, covert aspects of oneself. Studies were conducted to investigate whether there are motivational underpinnings for individual differences in level of PSC. Four separate studies were conducted at three different institutions. Study 1 (N=59) results…

Administered an individual differences measure of motivational and orientations and a multidimensional measure of exploratory activity and beliefs to undergraduate students (N=154). Canonical analysis yielded one significant canonical root which indicated autonony and control orientations were positively related to self-exploration and beliefs in…

Attempted to determine motivational personality characteristics associated with psychological reactance. Undergraduate students (n=251) took Therapeutic Reactance Scale, Questionnaire for Measuring Psychological Reactance, and Personality Research Form. Results showed personality patterns of the psychologically reactant person as defensive,…

Outlines seven criteria for judging the use of psychoanalytic biographical data in historiography. The author concludes that the psychoanalytic approach is useful as a teaching device to help students gain a deeper understanding of the motivations causing the actions of historical figures. (AM)

Type A behavior is characterized by impatience, aggressiveness, and ambition. Type B individuals are more relaxed, easy-going, and unhurried. This study examined the effects of behavior pattern (Type A, intermediate, Type B) and experimenter interest (high versus no interest) on the time allocated to an experimental task and task performance.…

Alumni with drive and influence can help a college alumni organization meet its long-term goals. Prospective donors may be willing volunteers, and regular review of the alumni notes may suggest volunteers. A diverse volunteer group can best represent diverse alumni populations. Challenging, meaningful assignments that tap expertise are the most…