W. Ray. Crozier

Psychology has been closely involved with educational research, policy and practice since its emergence as a scientific discipline in the late 19th century but it has occupied a less certain place in recent years. This paper describes aspects of the organisational framework of psychology as a discipline and draws upon Research Assessment Exercise data to gain a picture of the research capacity of the psychology of education. The division of research in universities between psychology departments and education departments is identified and its relevance to the ‘demographic crisis’ in educational research considered. Three areas of recent applications of cognitive psychology are reviewed and promising intervention studies are outlined. The implications of demographic trends in educational research together with indications of the limited capacity of the psychology of education pose threats to the potential to develop original education‐based psychological research and to overcome limitations of much existing research.

The aims of the present study are to examine whether preschool children's scores on a standardized test of vocabulary mediate or moderate the relation between shyness and reticence and to test whether any influence of vocabulary would be found for both teacher and parent assessments of shyness. Participants were 108 children (50 males), mean age, 63.96 months, attending preschool in Saudi Arabia. Teachers selected shy and non‐shy children and both teachers and parents rated the children on a shyness checklist. Children completed a test of receptive vocabulary. Systematic observations of verbal behaviour were made in ‘show and tell’ and play sessions. Shyness scores were negatively correlated with vocabulary test scores. Shy children were more reticent during ‘show and tell’ and play. Vocabulary test scores did not moderate relations between teacher‐assessed or parent‐assessed shyness and reticence. Vocabulary test scores did not mediate the relation between teacher‐assessed shyness and reticence but there was partial mediation in analyses involving parents' assessments. The variation in findings between different informants is discussed. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Background. Little research has examined interactions between self‐reported dispositional and experimentally manipulated situational group orientations in their effect on self‐regulation. Aims. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of dispositional and situational learning goal orientation on children's self‐efficacy and engagement and persistence at a puzzle task. Sample. A self‐report learning goal orientation scale was completed by 110 children, aged 9–11 years. Fifty‐three children (24 girls) selected to be high and low on the scale participated in the experiment. Method. Half of the children were given instructions designed to evoke learning goals, while the remainder received performance goal instructions. Children attempted a difficult puzzle task on two occasions, when measures were made of self‐regulatory behaviours. Results and conclusions. Children assigned to the learning goal instruction were more likely to persist at the task until the end of the allotted time, displayed more on‐task behaviour and engaged in more autonomous help‐seeking. These effects were more pronounced following the first task, which all children had been unable to complete. Dispositional task orientation did not predict individual differences on these measures. The findings are interpreted in terms of learned helplessness and self‐worth theory.

Many people are extremely anxious about their blushing and regard it as the cause of their social difficulties rather than as a symptom of them. This paper addresses the belief that there is something inherently unpleasant or unattractive about blushing. Historical evidence shows that redness of the cheeks has long been regarded as a sign of facial beauty and youth, and transitory changes such as the blush have also been seen in a positive light as an indication of modesty and charm. The blush is an expression of shame and embarrassment and it too can be regarded in positive or negative light depending on the circumstances. What is distinctive about contemporary anxieties about blushing is that perceived personal inadequacies are in themselves reason to be ashamed and embarrassed: there is a vicious circle where a blush is both a sign of, and reason for, self-deprecation. This perception is not a necessary one but reflects current cultural values and this has implications for the treatment of blushing anxieties.