Do boys with a low-average I.Q. actually have a low self-esteem?
The purpose of this study was to gain an understanding of the needs, fears, aspirations, and attitudes of the low-average elementary and junior high age boy. The settings were two schools, a junior high (grades 9-12) and an elementary school (grades 5-6), located in a working class community. Two separate groups involving boys ages 11 and 12 years, and boys ages 14 and 15 years, met for five consecutive meetings. The structured interview in a group setting was chosen to increase the likelihood of a spontaneous, open interchange, as opposed to a more restricted response pattern. All subjects had failed at least one year, had maintained a stable I.Q. of 80-90 during their school years and were level in one or more subjects. The findings suggest caution in automatically equating low-average intelligence in boys with low self-concept, lack of career plans, family problems, and other similar stereotypes.
D000124:Achievement; D000293:Adolescent; D001290:Attitude; D002321:Career Choice; D002648:Child; D003479:Curriculum; D005190:Family; D006801:Humans; D007360:Intelligence; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D010379:Peer Group; D012574:Schools; D012649:Self Concept; D013334:Students