INFLUENCE OF DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY ON THE ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF STUDENTS IN SELECTED SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN GWAGWALADA AREA COUNCIL

ABSTRACTThis   study   investigated   the   influence   of   developmental   psychology   on   theacademic   performance   of   students   in   selected   secondary   schools   inGwagwalada Area Council, Abuja. Based on the purpose of the study, fourobjectives were raised and used to formulate three research questions to guidethe study. The correlational design was adopted in the study. The population ofthe study was made up of 4,563 SS II students in Gwagwalada Area Council,out of which 2001 students were drawn from four senior secondary schools inGwagwalada   Area   Council.   A   sample   size   of   100   students   was   randomlyselected from these school that serve as respondents for this study. The researchinstruments   used   to   collect   data   was   the   “Students   Psychological   FactorQuestionnaire” (SPFQ). Data collected were analyzed using simple percentagefor   background   information   of   the   respondents.   Research   questions   wereanswered using frequency and mean scores. The findings of the study revealedthat  students’   anxiety   in   the   class,   phobia   for   particular   subject,   students’hatred for subject teachers, interest  in schooling were among psychologicalfactors   that   affect   students’   academic   performance   in   Gwagwalada   AreaCouncil. However, the study showed that general mental ability of the studentsinfluences students’ academic performance but there is no clear indication thatstudents’ character influence students’ academic performance in GwagwaladaArea Council, Abuja. Based on the findings of the study, it was recommendedamong others that School guidance counsellors should encourage students todevelop   a   positive   self-concept   and   attitude   towards   learning,   parents   andteachers can also serve as motivators encouraging students in their academicachievement   and   ministry   of   education   should   motivate   students   by   givingscholarship to students who perform well in their academics

TABLE OF CONTENTS

TITLE PAGE                                                                                                   ii

TABLE OF CONTENTS                                                                                  iii

LIST OF TABLES                                                                                             xi

LIST OF FIGURES                                                                                           xi

ABSTRACT                                                                                                     xii

    CHAPTER ONE

1.0                                           INTRODUCTION

1.1   Background to the Study                                                                          1

1.2   Statement of the Problems                                                                        5

1.3   Purpose of the Study                                                                                6

1.4   Research Questions                                                                                  6

1.5  Basic Assumptions of the Study                                                              7

1.6  Scope and Limitation of the Study                                                           7

1.7   Significance of the Study                                                                          8

1.8   Definition of Terms                                                                                  8

 

CHAPTER TWO

2.0                        REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

2.1   Introduction                                                                                            10

2.2   Theoretical Framework                                                                          11

2.3   Environment Factors Affecting Students’ Academic Performance in

        Secondary Schools                                                                                 14

2.4   Factors that Influence Students’ Academic Performance                       18

2.5   Personality Characteristics and Students Academic Performance          23

2.6   Previous Studies                                                                                     25

2.7   Summary                                                                                                27

CHAPTER THREE

3.0                        RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

3.1   Introduction                                                                                           29

3.2   Research Design                                                                                     29

3.3   Population, Sample and Sampling procedure                                        30

3.4   Instrumentation                                                                                      31

3.5   Procedure for Collection of Data                                                            32

3.6   Method of Data Analysis                                                                       32

 

 

CHAPTER FOUR

4.0                        DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS

4.1   Introduction                                                                                           33

4.2   Presentation of Data                                                                              33

4.3   Analysis of Data and Interpretation                                                      35

4.4   Discussion of Findings                                                                         41

CHAPTER FIVE

5.0              SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

5.1   Introduction                                                                                         43

5.2   Summary                                                                                             43

5.3   Conclusion                                                                                           44

5.4   Recommendation                                                                                 45

5.5   Suggestion for Further Studies                                                            46

        REFERENCES                                                                                    47

        APPENDIX                                                                                         53

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIST OF TABLES

Table 3.1:    Number of Schools and SS II Students                                   30                                                                                                 Table 4.1:   Psychological Factors Influence Students’ Academic

                   Performance                                                                            35

Table 4.2:   Personality Characteristics and Students’

                   Academic Performance                                                            37 

Table 4.3:   Students’ Attitude to Learning and Students’

                   Academic Performance                                                  39                                                                   

 

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1:    Frequency Distribution of Respondents by Gender                   34

Figure 2:    Distribution of Respondents by Age                                          34