Pakistani Underachievers: Behavioural Characteristics and Effects of an Intervention Programme

The report presents the results of a study which was con­ducted during summer vacations on a small group of children (N = 17) who were picked up by teachers as underachievers on the basis of the children's academic performance during the preceding nine months. An interactional programme was chalked out. The activities selected consisted of perceptual thinking and body movement exercises. Most of these activities involved commer­cially available toys, though some of the equipment was prepared locally. Ten behavioural characteristics of these underachievers were identified and monitored. The results of the intervention exercise showed that most of the children improved in behavi­oural characteristics like self-control and goal-directedness.