Test Anxiety and Locus of Control in Achieving Gifted, Underachieving Gifted, and Nongifted Middle School Students

• In Event: Acceleration and Underachievement in Giftedness, Creativity, and Talent

Abstract

This study investigated the prevalence of test anxiety and locus of control orientation in three groups of middle school students: Achieving Gifted (AG), Underachieving Gifted (UAG), and Nongifted (NG) students. Two instruments were used in the study: the Test Anxiety Inventory (TAI) and the Children’s Nowicki-Strickland Internal-External Control Scale (CNSIE). A 3 x 2 MANOVA indicated significant differences between the groups by gender and achievement classification. Underachieving gifted students were more externally oriented than achieving gifted students. Nongifted students were more externally controlled than achieving gifted students. In regards to underachievers, males were more externally controlled than females. Females consistently reported higher levels of anxiety than males.

Authors

• Del Siegle, University of Connecticut

• Michele M. Moore