Factorial Analysis on Non-Intellectual Tests for Gifted Students

Abstract

Factorial Analysis is an important method of multivariate statistical analysis, describing the variance and covariance relations between many variables by using a few linear combinations, which can help (1) simplify the data; (2) reveal the relations between variables. This thesis makes a factorial analysis on the raw data results of the non-intellectual tests given to gifted students of Grade 94 and Grade 96 shortly after their arriving at university. A psychological explanation of the common factor is given. This study helps us to know what are the non-intellectual factors that have a great impact on the academic performance of the gifted student, providing a theoretical way for identification, selection and education of gifted students. The results show that competition awareness and self-control ability play a prior role among the nonintellectual factors.