The Prove-Them-Wrong Syndrome: Voices from Unheard African-American Males in Engineering Disciplines

Abstract

Using the grounded theory approach as a conceptual framework, this study sought to explore the phenomenon of persistence. More specifically, the purpose of this study was to examine the perceptions, attitudes, and experiences of African-American males who were able to persist in engineering at a predominately White institution (PWI) located in the southeastern part of the United States. This study revealed, through extensive individual and group interviews, that persistent African-American male students possess personality characteristics that help them persist in engineering majors. The “prove-them-wrong syndrome” is offered as an explanation to better understand the phenomenon of persistence for the African-American males in the study.