Academic performance and perceived validity of grades: An additional case for self-enhancement

The authors investigated the role of academic self-esteem and academic perf ormance in U.S. college students' perceptions of the validity of their grad es (overall grade point average [GPA]). A sample of 208 (80 male, 128 femal e) college students completed a survey that included an academic self-estee m scale and a measure of the perceived validity of grades. The authors asse ssed academic performance level by the participants' actual overall GPAs. T he results of a hierarchical multiple regression analysis supported the wea k form of self-enhancement theory (J. S. Shrauger, 1975). Thus, regardless of their self-esteem levels, the students with higher GPAs, compared with t hose with lower GPAs, tended to see the overall GPA as a more valid indicat or of academic ability.