Six reasons for bad grades

Reason 3 Lack of ambition (low scores on the RSMP® scale for power).

Lack of ambition is a third motivational problem that can lead to poor grades in school. These students are likely to be very slack and unfocused. They don‘t work hard enough to do well in school. They tend to score low on the RSMP® power scale.

Students with low RSMP® scores on power do not promote themselves. They set modest goals and avoid challenging directions because they don‘t want to try hard. Non-ambitious students who are bright may achieve average to aboveaverage scores, but only if they can achieve them without doing much to achieve them.

These students may be willing to work at a moderate pace, but no more. If pushed to do more, they may drop out. They will likely avoid challenging areas but do valiantly in moderately challenging areas. How „challenging“ or „moderately challenging“ is defined depends, of course, on the student‘s cognitive potential. After completing their schooling, these individuals may continue to avoid intense work.

They will likely fall short of their potential throughout their lives, not because they are not competent, but because they are motivated in other directions.

Reason 4

Disorganization

(low values on the RSMP® scale for order)