A Comparative Study on the Relationship Between Learned Helplessness and Academic Performance in English Classes in Urban and Rural Junior High Schools
Main Article Content
Keywords
Junior high school English class; learned helplessness, academic performance, urban-rural differences
Abstract
This study selected a total of 441 second-grade students from urban and rural schools in the same city in Guangdong Province as research subjects to explore the relationship between learned helplessness and academic performance in junior middle school English classes and compare the research results of the two schools. The results of the study found that the level of learned helplessness among rural junior high school students was significantly higher than that among urban junior high school students(The average level of learned helplessness among rural students is 3.87/5, while that among urban students is 3.54/5.). The average English score of rural junior high school students was significantly lower than that of urban junior high school students, with an average score difference of 9.35 points. Regardless of whether junior high school students were from urban or rural schools, learned helplessness in English classes had a significant negative impact on English test scores. Additionally, there was a causal relationship between the two, meaning that the level of learned helplessness would affect students' test scores.
References
Dewaele, J. M., & Li, C. (2020). Emotions in second language acquisition: A critical review and research agenda. Foreign Language World, (1), 34-49.
Dweck, C. S. (1986). Motivational processes affecting learning. American Psychologist, 41(10), 1040-1048. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.41.10.1040
Firmin, M., Hwang, C.-e., Copella, M., & Clark, S. (2004). Learned helplessness: The effect of failure on test-taking. Education, 124(4), 688-693.
Hiroto, D. S. (1974). Locus of control and learned helplessness. Journal of Experimental Psychology, 102(2), 187-193. https://doi.org/10.1037/H0035910
Li, C., & Wei, L. (2023). Anxiety, enjoyment, and boredom in language learning amongst junior secondary students in rural China: How do they contribute to L2 achievement? Studies in Second Language Acquisition, 45(1), 93-108. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0272263122000031
Overmier, J. B., & Seligman, M. E. (1967). Effects of inescapable shock upon subsequent escape and avoidance responding. Journal of Comparative and Physiological Psychology, 63(1), 28-33. https://doi.org/10.1037/H0024166
Peng, Y. (2007). A study on learned helplessness of junior high school students in English learning [Master's thesis, Henan University]. CNKI. https://kns.cnki.net/KCMS/detail/detail.aspx?dbname=CMFD2007&filename=2007144744.nh
Raufelder, D., & Kulakow, S. (2022). The role of social belonging and exclusion at school and the teacher–student relationship for the development of learned helplessness in adolescents. British Journal of Educational Psychology, 92(1), 59-81. https://doi.org/10.1111/BJEP.12438
Seyri, H., & Rezaee, A. A. (2024). An autonomy-oriented response to EAP students’ learned helplessness in online classes. Current Psychology, 43(9), 7887-7898. https://doi.org/10.1007/S12144-023-04981-8
Shu, D. (2021). The “Shanghai experience” of basic foreign language education in China. Foreign Language Teaching and Research, (6), 864-873, 959-960. https://doi.org/10.19923/j.cnki.fltr.2021.06.006
Tan, Q., Yan, L., Yi, Y., & Xie, G. (2024). The impact of cumulative ecological risk on learned helplessness of rural junior high school students in English learning: The mediating role of positive psychological capital. Educational Measurement and Evaluation, (1), 58-70. https://doi.org/10.16518/j.cnki.emae.2024.01.006
The General Office of the CPC Central Committee, & The General Office of the State Council. (2023). Opinions on building a high-quality and balanced basic public education service system. Tibet Education, (7), 3-6. https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1004-5880.2023.07.003
Yang, X. (2020). A study on the relationship between learned helplessness and English classroom anxiety in high school students in ethnic minority areas [Master's thesis, Qiannan Normal University for Nationalities]. CNKI. https://kns.cnki.net/KCMS/detail/detail.aspx?dbname=CMFD202102&filename=1020065472.nh
Yu, F. (2022). The influence of achievement motivation of secondary vocational students on learned helplessness [Master's thesis, Central China Normal University]. CNKI. https://kns.cnki.net/KCMS/detail/detail.aspx?dbname=CMFD202301&filename=1022091790.nh
Zhao, L. (2010). Learned helplessness of middle school students and its relationship with academic self-efficacy and parenting style [Master's thesis, Henan University]. CNKI. https://kns.cnki.net/KCMS/detail/detail.aspx?dbname=CMFD2010&filename=2010154319.nh
Zhao, L., & Jia, A. (2018). Research on the influencing factors of the learning status of left-behind children in rural areas - an empirical analysis based on the perspective of learning environment. Educational Science Research, 10, 40-46. https://doi.org/CNKI:SUN:JYKY.0.2018-10-008
Zhou, G. (1994). Re-analysis of the theory of learned powerlessness. Psychological Science, (5), 297-301. https://doi.org/10.16719/j.cnki.1671-6981.1994.05.009