Attitudes of professionals, volunteer leaders, and 4-H members toward competitive, cooperative, and individual learning styles related to the 4-H program in Tennessee

The major purpose of the study was to determine the attitudes of 4-H agents, volunteer leaders, and 4-H members toward competition, cooperation, and individualism in the 4-H program in Tennessee. Data was obtained from 906 respondents of which 69 were agents, 170 were volunteers, and 667 were 4-H members.

Survey questions dealt with demographic data of each group such as grade in school, gender, age, length of employment, leader training meetings attended, job location, job responsibility, and participation in livestock shows. The data obtained in the study were analyzed using mean scores and percentages. An attitudinal scale was developed to determine each respondent's attitude toward competition, cooperation, and individualism. An attitudinal score was computed for each respondent and the means were calculated for each group of respondents. Significant differences were then determined using appropriate inferential tests.

Major findings were:

Of the 667 members surveyed, 50.6% had been in 4-H from 1 to 3 years, 67.3% were from 11 to 14 years old, 76.2% were in the 5th through 8th grades.

Of the 170 volunteers surveyed, 62.2% had been volunteers from 2 to 12 years. Around 77% were females and 71% were in 4- H as a youth. At least 50% had received some volunteer leader training. A total of 40% were teacher leaders of a 4-H club and 61% were volunteers who were also 4-H parents.

Of the 69 agents responding, 63% had been 4-H members as youth, 47% had received their Masters Degree, 52% were female, and 74% were between the ages of 26 and 45.

Four-H members were significantly more competitive than volunteers or agents. Members also favored cooperation more so than agents or volunteers. Volunteers were also significantly more competitive than agents. Agents favor individualism significantly more so than volunteers or members.

There was also a significant difference in volunteers who were 4-H parents and those who were not 4-H parents. Non 4-H parents favored cooperation more so than 4-H parents.

There was a significant difference in agents' attitudes toward individualism with regard to length of employment. Agents who had worked from 0 to 3 years were significantly less favorable toward individual activities than those who had worked from 4 to 10 years and those who had worked 20 or more years. Agents working 20 or more years were most favorable toward individualism.

Agents with both 4-H and adult home economics responsibilities were less favorable toward competition than full time 4-H home economics or agriculture and split 4-H and adult agriculture agents.

Data revealed a significant difference in members' attitudes toward cooperation with regard to grade in school. Four-H members in the 10th grade were less favorable toward cooperation than those in the 5th, 6th, and 7th grades. Those members in the 5th grade were less favorable toward cooperation than those in the 7th grade.

Data also revealed a difference in attitudes toward types of recognition at district and state events. Agents were less favorable than members and volunteers with regard to recognizing members for participation at district and state events. Members more highly favored recognition for achieving personal goals at district and state events.

Agents, members, and volunteers recommended that the Tennessee 4-H program continue to provide a mix of 36 percent competitive, 33 percent cooperative, and 31 percent individual activities. Implications and recommendations are also included in the study.