Gender differences in factors affecting academic performance of high school students

The following study examines gender differences existing in various cognitive motivational variables (locus of control, academic self-concept and use of learning strategies) and in performance attained in school subjects of Literature and Mathematics. For this purpose, a sample of 363 students was selected from the high school students in the first, second and third academic years. For achieving to the purpose used of locus of control questionnaire, self-concept questionnaire and LASSI. Results show the existence of gender difference in variables under consideration, with girls showing internal locus of control, using attitude, motivation, time management, anxiety, and self-testing strategies more extensively, and getting better marks in Literature. With boys using concentration, information processing and selecting main ideas strategies more, and getting better marks in mathematics. Gender differences were not found in external locus of control, in academic self-concept, and in study aids and test strategies. Results suggest that differences exist in the cognitive-motivational functioning of boys and girls in the academic environment, with the girls have a more adaptive approach to learning tasks. However, the influence of contextual variables that may differently affect boys' and girls' motivation was not taken into account. Thus future research should address the influence of such factors. (c) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. Open access under CC BY-NC-ND license.