1. Frequent reasons for underachievement and decreased motivation Source: A Parent’s Guide to Gifted Children Best Books Award Winner (USA) 10 March, 2012 Ms Chau Pui Ling SKH Lam Kau Mow Sec. Sch. 1

2. Attempt to fit in with peers; High achievement is not valued by peers 2

3. Assigned tasks just do not seem interesting, relevant, or important to the child’s life. 3

4. Underachievement is an expression of the child’s desire to show independence 4

5. A child can gain power by taking control away from parents or teachers. 5

6. A child may express anger against parents or teachers by going “on strike”. 6

7. It’s easier to drop out than to go along with other’s demands. 7

8. A child may fear that success will result in pressures; other will expect more. 8

9. It’s a way to get attention from parents or teachers. 9

10. It avoids risk-taking: saying “I really didn’t try,” can save face. 10

11. It’s an expression of dependency to get others to give attention and sympathize. 11

12. There is too much emphasis put on extrinsic incentives for achievement rather than the intrinsic rewards of learning. 12

13. The child is unable to think about or plan for future goals. 13

14. The child has poor study habits or has not learned ways to organize materials. 14

15. The child is distractible and impulsive, which hinders persistent academic work. 15