Adolescent leaders: rational thinking, future beliefs, temporal perspective, and other correlates

In this study, 281 adolescent leaders were compared to normal, at-risk, and early school leaver groups on a measure of irrational thinking. Student leaders were found to possess significantly fewer irrational beliefs than the other adolescent groups. Further examination of the leader group revealed that their beliefs about the future focused on developing an understanding of tomorrow, acquiring techniques and strategies for effective living, and preparing for technological, social, and economic change. The leaders' temporal perspective was 4.6 years, and they identified attending university and attaining a career as major concerns. Other correlates and demographic variables were also examined. Implications of these findings for rational emotive education are presented.