The Poverty Puzzle: The Surprising Difference between Wealthy and Poor Students for Self-efficacy and Academic Achievement

Authors

Diomaris E. Jurecska, George Fox University
Kelly B.T. Chang, George Fox UniversityFollow
Mary A. Peterson, George Fox University
Chloe E. Lee-Zorn, George Fox University
Joav Merrick
Elizabeth Sequeira, Universidad Centroamericana

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2012

Abstract

This study explored the relationship between intellectual ability, socioeconomic status (SES), academic achievement and self-efficacy in a cross-cultural sample. Data from 90 students (63 students from Central America and 27 from the US) showed that regardless of culture or IQ, students from low SES families had signifi cantly lower grade point averages than students from medium- or high-SES families. Unexpectedly, data showed that regardless of culture or IQ, students from high-SES families had the lowest self-efficacy, but the highest academic performance. Results suggest that self-efficacy is likely to be related to expectations and selfperception beyond IQ or culture.

Comments

Originally published in the International Journal of Adolescent Medical Health, 24(4) 355-362.

Recommended Citation

Jurecska, Diomaris E.; Chang, Kelly B.T.; Peterson, Mary A.; Lee-Zorn, Chloe E.; Merrick, Joav; and Sequeira, Elizabeth, "The Poverty Puzzle: The Surprising Difference between Wealthy and Poor Students for Self-efficacy and Academic Achievement" (2012). Faculty Publications - Psychology Department. 32.
https://digitalcommons.georgefox.edu/psyc_fac/32