Noncognitive factors
Influences on achievement that do not have to do with intellectual ability, such as determination, perseverance, and grit
Delay of gratification
The capacity to wait longer to get a larger, better, or more valuable reward instead of a smaller, less attractive, or less valuable one that is available immediately
Yerkes-Dodson law
A basic psychological principle that states that performance by too little or too much arousal or anxiety
Underachievers
Individuals whose actual school performance is lower than what would be expected on the basis of objective measures of their aptitude or intelligence
Self-handicapping
Deliberately behaving in ways that will likely interfere with doing well in order to have an excuse for failing
Mastery motivation
Motivation to succeed based on the pleasure one will experience from mastering a task
Performance motivation
Motivation to succeed based on the rewards one will receive for successful performance
Stereotype threat
The harmful effect that exposure to stereotypes about ethnic or sex differences in ability has on student performance
Growth mindset
Believing that intelligence is malleable and can be “grown” over time
Self-efficacy
The sense that an individual has some control over his or her life
Achievement attributions
The beliefs an individual holds about the causes of her or his successes and failures
Learned helplessness
The acquired belief that an individual is not able to influence events through his or her own efforts or actions
Cultural capital
The resources provided within a family through the exposure of the adolescent to art, music, literature, and other elements of “high culture”
Social capital
The interpersonal resources available to an adolescent or family
School performance
A measure of achievement based on an individual’s grades in school
Academic achievement
Achievement that is measured by standardized tests of scholastic ability or knowledge
Educational attainment
The number of years of schooling completed by an individual
Work values
The particular sorts of rewards an individual looks for in a job
Occupational attainment
A measure of achievement based on the status or prestige of the job an individual holds
