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Low, Rachel Caitlin (2025) Internal and External Expectations Effect on Stress and Academic Achievement. Undergraduate thesis, Dublin, National College of Ireland.
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Abstract
The aim of this study is to explore how stress comes about through personal expectations of academic achievement and through societal expectations of academic achievement, and how these two factors are related to one another, as well as how they affect actual academic achievement. A series of one-to-one semi-structured interviews were conducted with students via open-ended questions. In total 12 participants were interviewed: 9 were female, 2 nonbinary, and 1 male. The age range for participants was between 20-40 years. A thematic analysis of the interviews was conducted, revealing four main themes: (i) self-betterment, (iia) perfectionism with the subtheme of (iib) self-doubt (iii) lack of overt expectations, and (iv) seeking approval. The findings show that there is an internalised connection between external and internal expectations of achievement, highlighting how internal expectations were more prevalent in dictating actual achievement and higher stress levels than external expectations. This holds important implications for educational institutions and their approaches to academic achievement, of which are discussed.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Undergraduate) |
|---|---|
| Supervisors: | Name Email Nolan, Conor UNSPECIFIED |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | Internal expectations; External expectations; Stress; Academic achievement; Thematic analysis |
| Subjects: | B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > Psychology L Education > LB Theory and practice of education > LB2300 Higher Education B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > Psychology > Stress (Psychology) |
| Divisions: | School of Business (- 2025) > BA (Honours) in Psychology |
| Depositing User: | Ciara O'Brien |
| Date Deposited: | 10 Nov 2025 11:32 |
| Last Modified: | 10 Nov 2025 11:32 |
| URI: | https://norma.ncirl.ie/id/eprint/8901 |
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