Profiles of Gifted Adolescents in Gifted Science Schools: Academic Self-Concept and STEM Career Aspirations

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Abstract

This study investigated the cognitive, motivational, and social characteristics of gifted adolescents attending gifted science schools in South Korea, focusing on how these profiles relate to academic self-concept (ASC) and STEM career aspirations. Using survey data from 389 students, a latent profile analysis identified four subgroups based on need for cognition, goal orientations, perfectionism, resilience, and social comparison tendencies. Gifted adolescents with high cognitive drive, mastery orientation, and resilience reported the highest ASC, whereas those with low cognitive drive and performance goals, high mastery orientation, and a low preference for competition reported the lowest. STEM career aspirations did not significantly differ by profile. Findings underscore the need to consider diverse learner profiles among gifted adolescents.

Authors

• Seon-Young Lee, Seoul National University

• Jungmin Woo

• Donggun An, Incheon National University

• Sun Young Hwang, Seoul National University