STUDENTS EXPECTATIONS OF THE FUTURE - HOPELESSNESS AS A BARRIER TO SELF-DETERMINATION

The development of self determination depends on the emergence of posi tive beliefs about oneself and one's future. Research has suggested th at these positive perceptions are the outcome of a process of learning and using problem-solving skills and the achievement of perceived or actual control, referred to as learned hopefulness. Expectations for t he future (e.g., hopefulness/hopelessness) of students with mental ret ardation, learning disabilities, or students without disabilities were examined. Students with mental retardation were significantly less ho peful than were their peers with learning disabilities or without disa bilities. Implications from these findings for the development of self -determination were discussed.