Perfectionism in Gifted High-School Students: Responses to Academic Challenge

Through a qualitative interview design, this study investigated how participation in a rigorous academic environment may influence gifted students who demonstrate high levels of perfectionism. The study also examined how their responses to a rigorous academic and residential environment may differ according to the type of perfectionism. Findings indicated that some socially prescribed perfectionists reported an increase in perfectionism, whereas some self-oriented perfectionists reported an increase followed by a decrease in their perfectionism. Overall, the majority of the participants, regardless of their type of perfectionism, indicated a decrease in their perfectionism as a result of their new academic environment. Reactions to experiencing imperfections ranged from calm to guilt or even anger, depending on the type of perfectionism. Implications for working with gifted students who show high levels of perfectionism are discussed.     

ARBEIDSMETODE OG ELEVREAKSJON

Keogh, Barbara K. &; Vormeland, O. (1970). Performance of Norwegian Children on the Bender Gestalt and Draw‐a‐Person Tests. Scand. J. Educ. Res. 14, 105‐111. This study provides tentative norms for evaluating the performance of Norwegian children, ages six through nine, in a group administered Bender Gestalt and Draw‐a‐Person tests. Results are based on drawings of 265 Oslo school children. DAP scaled score means were slightly lower than the standardization mean, and, in general, girls were favored over boys. No sex differences in Bender performance were found. Bender results provide objective normative values, for age groups as well for patterns of change with age, which arc useful in making clinical and educational interpretations. Scores under group administration were somewhat higher (poorer) than scores obtained under individual administration conditions. Consistency of findings for Norwegian, English, and American children suggests that the Bender is relatively unaffected by specific cultural differences, at least in Western countries.     

A Survey of Attainment and Progress of Learners in Adult Literacy Schemes

This article summarizes the findings of an NFER project which studied the roles, management and practices of LEA advisory services throughout England and Wales. The full report of the research (Stillman and Grant, 1988) will be published in January by NFER‐NELSON.