Graduate Program

School Psychology

Degree Name

Specialist in School Psychology

Semester of Degree Completion

2008

Thesis Director

Ronan Bernas

Thesis Committee Member

Assege HaileMariam

Thesis Committee Member

Christine McCormick

Abstract

Currently, there is a strong emphasis on children scoring well on academic achievement tests. While the skills needed to do well on these tests are important, positive character is another factor that may be related to academic achievement. The purpose of the present study was to examine if positive character is relevant to academic achievement. Can prosocialness, hope, and wisdom predict academic achievement? Which of these virtues is most predictive? Can these virtues predict academic achievement above and beyond academic skill levels?

Illinois Standards Achievement Test scores and GP A were collected for 105 students who also completed self-report measures on hope, prosocialness, and wisdom. Results indicated that both the virtues and the academic skills predicted achievement in the classroom. Hope was found to be significantly predictive of academic achievement among male students, while wisdom was shown to be predictive of academic achievement among the girls. Further, the virtue of hope predicted academic achievement above and beyond academic skill levels but only for the boys. The study demonstrated that positive character or virtue is relevant in promoting positive academic outcomes and provided an impetus for future research into sex differences i:t: how positive character or virtue influences academic achievement.

Download

Included in

Psychology Commons

Share

COinS