Read the questions below first. Then scan the passage for the answers to the
questions.
1. How did Cutrona carry out her studies of college students?
(
She compared their college
entrance exam scores to grade point averages. Students also filled out questionnaires
on their families. )
2. What are the two key findings by Cutrona?
(
Students with the cheerleading
parents showed less anxiety about challenges; lower anxiety was linked to more
self-confidence, which predicted better grades. Having supportive friends or romantic partners didn't affect grade point average.)
3. What is Cutrona's conclusion based on her findings?
(
Parents' attitudes
toward their children seem to affect the way students think of themselves and self-image seems to influence performance.
)
College students whose parents always assured them they were able scholars
earn higher grades than classmates with the same academic ability but less supportive
parents, a new study suggests.
"Parents' attitudes toward their children seem to affect the way students think
of themselves － and self-image seems to influence performance," says psychologist
Carolyn Cutrona of University of Iowa City.
Cutrona's studies of 797 students, mostly freshmen and sophomores, compared
their college entrance exam scores to grade point averages. Students also filled
out questionnaires on their families. Among key findings:
Students with the cheerleading parents showed less anxiety about challenges;
lower anxiety was linked to more self-confidence, which predicted better grades.
Having supportive friends or romantic partners didn't affect grade point average.
Few students were in daily contact with parents, says Cutrona, but findings
"probably show a lifetime of being raised to have self-confidence."
