Abstract
M.Ed.
This research aims at the description of a therapeutic approach
relevant to the adolescent underachiever in whose case
the cause of the problem is often overlooked because it is
not self-evident. In this specific case there seemed to be
no clear reason why the adolescent was not achieving academically
according to his potential. An in-depth study was necessary,
involving also the family of the respondent.
From conversations with educational psychologists, the history
of the adolescent and the literature, it seems as if the
focus of the intervention in cases where there do not seem
to be overt reasons for the underachievement, was on the adolescent
only. Courses in motivation and study skills were offered,
but were not effective.
Because the adolescent is a member of a family, the research
is aligned to a systems approach. I wanted to explore the
the possibility that the cause of the problem could be found
in the style of parenting and resulting family dynamics.
A qualitative, investigative, descriptive and contextual design
was used. One adolescent was deliberately chosen according
to set criteria, and subjected to the utilisation of multiple
data-gathering sources and methods. These included interviews,
document analysis and observation. The parents of
the underachiever as well as his register teacher, were also
interviewed. A case study report was compiled according to
the processed data. A cross-validation report was compiled,
using notes which were taken when I was dealing with the
cases that first aroused my interest. Hereafter literature
control was applied to compare the results of this study
with other available research, and to point out new insights
into a family's educational style as a cause of underachievement,
gained from the study. All data were submitted to an
independent consultant for analysis.
After the data were analysed, I concluded that the educational
style of parents can be a cause of underachievement. From an
integrative systemic perspective, an educational psychological
therapeutic programme was described. It is hoped that, aided
by this programme, the educational psychologist may make a contribution
towards helping the underachieving adolescent and
his/her family to overcome their problems so that he/she may
realise his/her full potential.