Social and Emotional Causes of Gifted Underachievement
Gifted students may underachieve for multiple reasons, from medical issues to problems at home. Eliminating those concerns, however, researchers D. Betsy McCoach and Del Siegle (2003) identified four factors that contribute to gifted underachievement.
Low Self-Perceived Academic Ability: The way students think of their academic ability could influence what learning activities they select, their level of challenge and how much they persist in those academic pursuits (Davis, 2006).
Negative Attitudes Toward School, Teachers and/or Classes: Underachieving students may not like school or their classes, or may have issues with authority figures like teachers and principals (Davis, 2006).
Poor Self-Management and Low Motivation: Students who are underachieving may not put a lot of effort into their academic pursuits, or may not have the skills needed to manage themselves or their time wisely (Davis, 2006).
Low Perceived Value and Importance of School Learning: "Students who fail to see the long-term value and usefulness of school learning are more likely to underachieve" (Davis, 2006, p. 42).
Low Self-Perceived Academic Ability: The way students think of their academic ability could influence what learning activities they select, their level of challenge and how much they persist in those academic pursuits (Davis, 2006).
Negative Attitudes Toward School, Teachers and/or Classes: Underachieving students may not like school or their classes, or may have issues with authority figures like teachers and principals (Davis, 2006).
Poor Self-Management and Low Motivation: Students who are underachieving may not put a lot of effort into their academic pursuits, or may not have the skills needed to manage themselves or their time wisely (Davis, 2006).
Low Perceived Value and Importance of School Learning: "Students who fail to see the long-term value and usefulness of school learning are more likely to underachieve" (Davis, 2006, p. 42).