Gender Differences in Attitudes and Attitude Changes Among Mathematically Talented Youth

Abstract

A survey form that assesses components of attitude thought to be relevant to success in a program for mathematically talented youth was administered to program participants on four occasions over a 2-year period. The reliabilities of the attitude scales and the pattem of correlations among the scales were quite similar for boys and girls who applied for the program. Among those who were selected for the program, boys showed a significantly higher level of motivation, confidence, and interest in mathematics than did girls. Over the first 2 years in the program, both boys and girls exhibited significant declines in attitudes on most scales,