Date of Award

2005

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Psychology

Abstract

In order to enhance learning outcome, filial piety is explored in this study as a holistic approach to optimize human internal conditions and performance and reach human potential. Through a synthesis of modern life science and Eastern philosophies and beliefs, a Theory of Human Prosperity by filial piety was proposed. A bio-social model of the relationship between the nature and the culture of filial piety was established and the notion of filial piety was reconceptualized. Based on the Theory of Human Prosperity by filial piety, a hypothesis of filial piety that predicts undergraduate academic achievement (represented by their SAT total score and GPA) was proposed and tested. A correlational research design was employed. A convenience sample and a modified Gallois et al.'s filial piety instrument were used. Five aspects of filial piety were measured and scored. One aspect of the five (filial behavioral norm) was found to positively correlate to participants' SAT total ( r = 0.129, n = 622, p < 0.01) and GPA scores ( r = 0.082, n = 611, p < 0.05). No conclusion can be drawn based on this limited survey research. To explain why no significant positive correlations were found between other four aspects of filial piety and achievement, and why a low correlation other than a moderate correlation was found between filial behavioral norm and achievement, concern of committing Type II errors due to invalid measure of filial piety and restricted ranges of SAT total and GPA scores in a convenience sample were discussed and possible improvement in future similar research was suggested. A development of a new filial piety instrument is needed. Experimental research to test the hypothesis is prior consideration for future studies.

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