IMPLICATIONS for Advanced Learners

Assessment Concerns Stress/Anxiety Underachievement Perfectionism

Good Stress SURVIVAL! body prepares to fight or flee brain generates a state of hyper focus adrenaline cascades through the body lungs expand for more oxygen blood flow increases to large muscles Digestion halts Executive functions freeze up!

Bad Stress memory problems/lack of sleep/aggression/depression damage brain’s hippocampus, which affects memory and new learning Loss of control over perceptions and body’s ability to regain balanced/relaxed state

Underachievement 1. to perform below the potential indicated by tests of one's mental ability or aptitude. 2. to perform below expectations or achieve less than expected

6 Underachievement Different types of underachievers Perfectionist Patty Passive Paul Sick Sam Taunted Terrance Torn Tommy Jock Jack, Social Sally, Dramatic Debbie Academic Alice Creative Chris Rebellious Rebecca Hyperactive Harry

Common Traits Can explain why schoolwork is not good or grades are low “Look, if they’d offer something worthwhile, I’d learn it.” Can “read” a teacher in minutes, “I like Ms. Cornelius-she’s cool.”

Common Traits Independent intellectual streak “I know I haven’t done my homework, but look at this new computer program I’ve designed!”

Common Traits Strong sense of self “I could get high grades if I chose to, but what’s the point?” Improvement can occur overnight “See? I told you I could do it!”

Selective Consumer Selective consumers are “adept at taking the best from what school and teachers have to offer and leaving the rest behind.”

Perfectionism It is estimates that half the population of the U.S. has perfectionist tendencies. For gifted students, and proportion is closer to 85%

Perfectionist children are never satisfied with good enough. If they are not the best, don’t get 100%, or can’t figure out a problem effortlessly and immediately, then their all-or-nothing thinking dictates that they must be dumb losers wasting their efforts. unrealistic expectations low self-esteem underachievement challenge avoidance

Perfectionists categories Healthy and Un-Healthy perfectionism! Healthy Un -Healthy

How much of a perfectionist are you? Healthy perfectionism leads one to strive for excellence. Unhealthy perfectionism takes over one’s life and leaves no room for error. A healthy perfectionist is content to be a tiny fraction of a bubble off! An unhealthy perfectionist must have that bubble perfectly centered.

Healthy Perfectionism Positive characteristic driven by high effort and accomplishment Pleasure from concentrated effort The pursuit of excellence.

Unhealthy Perfectionism Strain compulsively toward impossible goals Set unrealistic standards for themselves See mistakes as evidence of their own unworthiness Live in a constant state of anxiety about making mistakes

Healthy Perfectionism Unhealthy Perfectionism Doing the research necessary for a term paper, working hard on it, turning it in on time and feeling good about what you learned Doing three drafts, staying up two nights in a row, and handing your paper in late because you just had to have it perfect Studying for a test, taking it with confidence and feeling good about getting a 96 Cramming right up to the last minute, taking the test with sweaty palms, and feeling badly about your 96 because your friend got a 98. Being willing to try new things, take risks, and learn from your experiences and your mistakes Avoiding new experiences because you are terrified of making mistakes – especially in public

In a nutshell Healthy perfectionists know their limits and strive for excellence. They use their talents to the fullest extent of their capabilities. They realize they do not have to be perfect to be successful and loved.

Negative Consequences Low self-esteem – “I’m never good enough” Guilt – “I could have handled that better” Pessimism – “I’ll never be a success” Depression – “I’ll never succeed?” Suicidal tendencies – “Why go on?” Obsessiveness – “It isn’t perfect yet, I can’t stop” Lack of motivation – “It will never be perfect so why try?” Immobilization – “ It is better to do nothing than it is to fail!” Source:

Things perfectionists say: My family expects me to win, I can’t let them down If I don’t do that, everyone will be so disappointed. No, its still 1/32 of an inch off! I can’t believe I got one question wrong – maybe the teacher is wrong! It would have been perfect if I could have done it myself.