Donald E. Myers
Nova University
Abstract: This study tested the relationship between meaninglessness and school achievement of eighth grade students. Meaninglessness (Seeman, American Sociological Review, 1959) scores were determined by a 10-item Likert scale constructed from student interviews. Factor analysis verified unidimensionality. School achievement {mean grade) was determined from three quarters of the school year in each of four subjects: English, mathematics, social science, and science. Ability (math and verbal) was measured by the Ohio Survey Test. Multiple linear regression used ability (verbal for social science and English; math for science and math), meaninglessness and a multiplicative term (ability x meaninglessness) as predictor variables and mean grade by subject as the criterion variables. Meaninglessness score predicted grades (except math) significantly (p=.05) better than ability alone.
Citation: Myers, D. E. (1972). Relationship between meaninglessness and school achievement. Florida Journal of Educational Research, 14(1), 79-87.
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