International Journal of Physiology

Abstract

Introduction: Over the past decades, self-concept has been extensively studied in relation to academic achievement. However, there is little agreement about the causal ordering of these constructs. This paper seeks to address the issue of causal relations between self-concept and academic achievement in young Indian students

Material and Method: Participants were 17-19 yrs old students of both sexes preparing for All India Pre Medical Test (AIPMT) and enrolled with reputed coaching classes in Delhi. Self-concept was measured twice over a period of one year using Self Description Questionnaire III (SDQ III). Qualifying AIPMT 2012 was taken as a measure of academic achievement.

Findings: The authors found no statistically significant differences in the self-concept scores of students, before and after qualifying AIPMT. Similarly there were no significant differences in the before and after self-concept scores of students who could not qualify AIPMT and pursued alternative courses. However, before appearing for AIPMT, those who eventually qualified had statistically significant higher scores on most scales of SDQ III.

Conclusion: Prior self-concept strongly influences subsequent academic achievement. However, neither academic achievement improves prior self-concept nor failure deteriorates prior self-concept.

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