Journals / Bartın Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi / 2026 / Issue: 2

A Case Study on the Experiences of Underachieving Gifted Students

Beklenmedik Başarısızlık Gösteren Özel Yetenekli Öğrencilerin Deneyimlerine İlişkin Bir Durum Çalışması

Seda Yonar Uğurlu(İSTANBUL ÜNİVERSİTESİ-CERRAHPAŞA)0000-0002-6686-8596
Marilena Z. Leana Taşcılar(İSTANBUL MEDENİYET ÜNİVERSİTESİ)0000-0002-1271-0371
Pages
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Publication Date
2026-03-12
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

The findings revealed that the development of underachievement differed markedly between the two students.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

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Objective & Hypothesis:The purpose of this study is to examine the experiences of gifted students who exhibit underachievement through a case study approach from the perspectives of students, teachers, and parents.
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Key Findings & Data:The study group consists of two gifted high school students identified as underachievers, their mothers, and their subject teachers at Science and Art Centers (BILSEM), selected through purposive sampling.
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Conclusion & Impact:The findings revealed that the development of underachievement differed markedly between the two students.
🔬Design:Survey & Empirical Study
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Gifted students · underachievement · Achievement Orientation Model

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine the experiences of gifted students who exhibit underachievement through a case study approach from the perspectives of students, teachers, and parents. The study group consists of two gifted high school students identified as underachievers, their mothers, and their subject teachers at Science and Art Centers (BILSEM), selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected using semi-structured interview forms developed in line with the components of the Achievement Orientation Model including self-efficacy, task value, environmental perceptions, and self-regulation, as well as questionnaires administered to teachers. The data were analyzed using content analysis. The findings revealed that the development of underachievement differed markedly between the two students. While underachievement in one student was largely situational and related to contextual factors, it evolved into a more chronic and persistent pattern in the other student. The components of the Achievement Orientation Model emerged as distinctive across both cases, with differences in task value, teacher–student relationships, and self-regulation skills playing a critical role in the development of underachievement. Additionally, the distance education period had differentiated effects on students, indicating that standardized educational practices do not produce uniform outcomes for all gifted learners. Overall, the findings suggest that gifted underachievement is a multidimensional and context-sensitive phenomenon. The study highlights the need for school-based interventions that extend beyond academic support and incorporate motivational and psychosocial dimensions to prevent and address underachievement in gifted students effectively.

Özet

Bu çalışmanın amacı beklenmedik başarısızlık gösteren özel yetenekli öğrencilerin deneyimlerini öğrenci, öğretmen ve ebeveyn bakış açılarıyla durum çalışması yöntemiyle incelemektir. Araştırmanın çalışma grubunu amaçlı örnekleme yoluyla seçilen iki beklenmedik başarısızlık gösteren lise düzeyindeki özel yetenekli öğrenci, anneleri ve BILSEM’de alan derslerine giren öğretmenleri oluşturmaktadır. Veriler Başarı Yönelimi Modeli’nin bileşenleri (öz-yeterlik, hedef değeri, çevresel algılar ve öz-düzenleme) temel alınarak geliştirilen yarı yapılandırılmış görüşme formları ve öğretmenler için hazırlanan anketler aracılığıyla toplanmıştır. Elde edilen veriler içerik analizi yöntemiyle analiz edilmiştir. Bulgular beklenmedik başarısızlığın her iki öğrencide farklı örüntüler sergilediğini ortaya koymuştur. Bir öğrencide beklenmedik başarısızlık daha çok durumsal ve bağlamsal faktörlerle ilişkiliyken diğer öğrencide bu durumun daha kronik ve süreklilik gösteren bir yapıya dönüştüğü görülmüştür. Başarı Yönelimi Modeli’nin bileşenleri her iki öğrencinin deneyimlerinde ayırt edici biçimde ortaya çıkmıştır. Özellikle hedef değeri, öğretmen-öğrenci ilişkileri ve öz-düzenleme becerilerindeki farklılıkların beklenmedik başarısızlığın gelişiminde belirleyici olduğu belirlenmiştir. Ayrıca uzaktan eğitim sürecinin öğrenciler üzerinde farklılaştırıcı etkiler yarattığı ve standart eğitim uygulamalarının her özel yetenekli öğrenci için aynı sonuçları doğurmadığı görülmüştür. Sonuçlar beklenmedik başarısızlığın çok boyutlu ve bağlama duyarlı bir olgu olduğunu göstermektedir. Bununla birlikte okul temelli müdahalelerin akademik destekle sınırlı kalmayıp motivasyonel ve psikososyal boyutları da kapsaması gerektiğine işaret etmektedir.

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Cite This Article

Uğurlu, S. Y., Taşcılar, M. Z. L. (2026). A Case Study on the Experiences of Underachieving Gifted Students. Bartın Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi, Issue: 2. https://doi.org/10.14686/buefad.1852008

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