Perception of Self and Scholastic Underachievement in the Academically Capable

Abstract

This study explored differences in the ways that underachievers and achievers perceive themselves and their relationships to the world around them. Achiever and underachiever groups, each consisting of 25 high school junior boys who were 115 IQ or better, were administered an apperceptive device. Protocols were analyzed in terms of six continua of perception. The statistical analyses utilizing t and F tests (with a predetermined 5 per cent Alpha level) demonstrated very significant differences between the groups. Underachievers showed significant and consistent differences from achievers in that they: Saw themselves as less adequate, Saw themselves as less acceptable to others, Saw their peers as less acceptable, Saw adults as less acceptable, Showed an inefficient and less effective approach to problems, Showed less freedom and adequacy of emotional expressions. Suggestions are made of certain factors that may produce underachievement and certain possible directions for future research.