The Psychological and Background Characteristics Influencing Students' Success in Computer Programming

AbstractA survey questionnaire was completed by 322 students at the beginning of the initial Pascal course at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Final grades in the course were subsequently obtained for each student. A regression equation predicting the final course grades was established. Twenty-five percent of the variance in the grades is accounted for by the predictor variables. Background characteristics are the major predictors, including Knowledge of BASIC and Math SAT scores. However, attitudinal variables including expectation of difficulty in the course also are significant predictors. Furthermore, students who emphasize physical science in high school do less well in the Pascal course than students who exhibit no such emphasis.