Frustration tolerance among computer-science-related novice university students

Abstract

ABSTRACT Among students and lecturers of Computer Science (CS)-related subjects, there is often anecdotal talk that Frustration Tolerance (FT) is a requirement for success in CS studies or that students would learn it during their studies. In order to relate the anecdotal perception and the psychological concept of FT and to explore the anecdotal narratives, the Frustration Discomfort Scale (FDS) and self-assessment among other factors were conducted with students from a university CS1 course at two times. There seems to be no effect from one semester of CS on FT and no actual differences in prerequisites, although further studies will be needed. Students with extensive prior knowledge, male students and students in low CS-related majors rate their FT as higher than the opposite groups at the beginning of the course. Lecturers should reconsider the use of the term as it may support negative feelings related to Imposter Syndrome.