The Psychology of Underachievement

An integrated approach to the psychology of underachievement, unifying theory and practice. Examines different types of underachievers, explores the relationship between personality and underachievement, and provides useful guidelines for clinical practice. Provides an outline and summary of the voluminous (and often contradictory) literature, then presents theoretical models of the underachiever that are grounded in mainstream diagnostic and therapeutic theory. Offers examples of each personality type, so practitioners can easily recognize and treat them. RESEARCH ON UNDERACHIEVEMENT.

Variables which Influence the Achievement Process.

Treatment Approaches to Underachievement.

THE MODEL OF DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS.

The Diagnostic Interview.

Concepts of Differential Diagnosis.

The Developmental Theory Model.

RESEARCH ON THE DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSTIC MODEL.

Non-differential Diagnostic Research.

Differential Diagnostic Research.

Differential Treatment Research.

PERSONALITY TYPES OF UNDERACHIEVERS.

The Overanxious Disorder Underachiever.

The Conduct Disorder Underachiever.

The Academic Problem Underachiever.

The Identity Disorder Underachiever.

The Oppositional Defiant Disorder Underachiever.

CONCLUSIONS.

A Final Word on Differential Diagnosis and DifferentialTreatment.

Bibliography.

Author Index.

Subject Index.

HARVEY P. MANDEL, Ph.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist in Toronto, Canada. He is also an associate professor in the Department of Psychology and Director of the Institute on Achievement and Motivation at York University. As a widely recognized authority in the field of underachievement, Dr. Mandel has addressed more than 10,000 teachers, guidance counselors, psychologists, and social workers on the subject. He has received major awards in the field of underachievement from the Ontario Psychological Foundation, the Bea Wickett Foundation, and York University.

SANDER I. MARCUS, Ph.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist in Chicago, Illinois. He serves as a managing partner in the career and business consulting firm of Friedland & Marcus. He has counseled thousands of individuals about career paths, has consulted with major corporations, including AT&T and Ameritech Services, and has taught at three midwestern universities.