Mohapatra, Madhuri. (2001). EFFECT OF PSYCHO-SOCIAL FACTORS ON SCIENCE LEARNING OF TRIBAL CHILDREN OF ORISSA. Unpublished. ERIC, Education

Objectives of the study:

• The effects of cognitive factors (developmental level and creativity) on the science learning of the tribal pupils.

• The effects of non-cognitive factors (personality, study habits and attitude) on the science learning of the tribal pupils.

• The effect of socio-cultural factors like socio-economic status, social superstitions and other demographic variables on the science learning of tribal pupils.

• The difference in science learning and cognitive development level between the tribal pupils and non-tribal pupils belonging to the same geographical location.

Sample of the study:

The sample consists of 486 tribal pupils and 236 non-tribal pupils.

Tools Used:

• Science Reasoning Task

• Creativity Test

• Study Habit Inventory

• Children Personality Questionnaire

• Attitude towards Science Learning Questionnaire

• Science Achievement Test

Research Design

Survey Method

Statistical Techniques:

• t-test

• z-test

• Coefficient of correlation

• Multiple regression

Findings of the study:

1. Tribal pupils as well as non-tribal pupils belonging to the same chronological age, are at different level of cognitive development.

2. Maximum number (71.6%) of tribal pupils are found to be at or above concrete operational stage of cognitive development.

3. The proportions of tribal boys and girls only at transition stage (2B/3A) differ significantly.

4. More than 80% of the non-tribal pupils are at or above concrete operational stages.

5. The group cognitive ability of the non-tribal pupils is found to be higher than the tribal pupils belonging to the same chronological age.

6. The degree of science learning of the tribal pupils differ from the non-tribal students belonging to the same chronological age(at 0.01 level).

7. Non-tribal pupils are more creative than the tribal pupils belonging to the same chronological age.

8. As far as the H-trait of personality is concerned the tribal pupils and non-tribal pupils do not differ significantly, belonging to the same chronological age.

9. The non-tribal pupils have better study habits compared to the tribal pupils.

10. Creativity affects the degree of science learning of the tribal pupils.

11. Non-cognitive factors like attitude towards science learning, study habit and personality combined together affect the degree of science learning.

12. Assuming the study habit and attitude towards science learning of all the tribal pupils to be same, the personality (H-trait) of the tribal pupils do not affect the degree of science learning of the tribal pupils.

13. Assuming the attitude towards science learning and personality of all the tribal pupils belonging to the same chronological age to be same, the study habit has positive effect on degree of science learning.

14. Tribal pupils having the same chronological age, belonging to high socio-economic status do better than low socio-economic status.

15. The degree of parental education affects the degree of science learning of the tribal pupils.

Keyword(s): Science Learning, Tribal Children