Study: Teens motivated by round numbers

By Staff Writer

A new study reveals that many teenagers are self-motivated to achieve round numbers on their SATs.

According to the study, which appears in the journal Psychological Science, found that students who received an SAT score that ended with "90" were more likely to retake the test than their peers. Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania and University of Chicago concluded that many adolescents feel comfort in an even "00" at the end of their score because they do not want to fall short of, what they consider, a benchmark for success.

In similar experiments, researchers found that individuals who were running laps around a track were more likely to say they would do another lap after completing 19, compared to those who had already run 20. Furthermore, baseball stats showed that players are four times more likely to end a season with a .300 batting average than a .299 average.

While some adults believe that underachieving students need outside rewards, such as scholarships or material possessions, in order to become inspired, this study shows that other factors - such as a desire to attain round numbers - can contribute to self-motivation.

Problem teens who lack motivation in the classroom may benefit from boarding schools, which aim to provide a structured academic environment for adolescents.