title: Academic performance and perceived validity of grades: an additional case for self-enhancement.
abstract: The authors investigated the role of academic self-esteem and academic performance in U.S. college students' perceptions of the validity of their grades (overall grade point average [GPA]). A sample of 208 (80 male, 128 female) college students completed a survey that included an academic self-esteem scale and a measure of the perceived validity of grades. The authors assessed academic performance level by the participants' actual overall GPAs. The results of a hierarchical multiple regression analysis supported the weak form of self-enhancement theory (J. S. Shrauger, 1975). Thus, regardless of their self-esteem levels, the students with higher GPAs, compared with those with lower GPAs, tended to see the overall GPA as a more valid indicator of academic ability.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Millersville University, PA 17551-0302, USA.
authors.forename: T O
authors.initials: TO
authors.lastname: Woo
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Frank
mesh_terms: D000124:Achievement; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012649:Self Concept; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires