THE UNDERACHIEVERS
An underachiever
is a learner whose achievement consistently falls well below his potential
ability. In Educational Science, the term underachiever is used to refer
children who are performing below their intellectual potential or below the standards
that are set for their age or their grade level. If the achievement of a
learner is poorer than might have been predict from intelligence tests, he is
said to be an underachiever and his achievement is called as underachievement.
Underachievement
is operationally assumed to be present when a student’s performance in some
predetermined task is lower than was planned for, or where a student fails to
achieve to level expected. In short, for any ability level, If a person
achieves below what is expected of him, he is usually termed an underachiever.
Types of underachievers
There are two types of underachievers: (1) Situational
underachiever, (2) chronic underachievers
1. Situational underachievers: This type of
children only achieve on occasions, apparently when the mood takes them. More
likely, their refused to do academic work can be linked with some emotional
crisis that suddenly erupts: a relationship may break up; a family problem may
arise; a personality clash may develop with a specific teacher. Generally,
these children have few long-term problems if they can get immediate help to overcome
their difficulty and their progress at school is closely monitored.
2. Chronic underachievers: This type of
individuals seldom achiever up to their ability. Their underachievement is
mostly due physiological or developmental reasons. They show permanent
emotional problems. They may become aggressive, giving vent to their
frustration by causing trouble or they may become sulky and withdrawn and
refuse to develop their talent. Over 80 percent of indentified chronic
underachievers are boys
Characteristics of underachievers
1. They show a discrepancy between ability and achievement because
they fail to work up to their ability in school subjects.
2. The primary characteristic is one of low self-esteem.
These students don’t believe that they are capable of accomplishing what others
expect of them.
3. Poor study habits, un-mastered skills, and social and discipline
problems are common among underachievers.
4. Poor school performance can bring about a variety of
emotional symptoms and behavioural problems including but not limited to
depression, withdrawal, and low motivation.
5. They show learning disabilities of diverse nature.
6. They possess low internal locus of control
7. They have poor test result at school and no hobbies or
interests at home
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