Self-perception of academic ability and ADHD symptoms in college students in China and the United States: A preliminary study.

Abstract

Children with ADHD are frequently reported to demonstrate a positive illusory bias in multiple domains. Less is known about such a bias in college students. This study examined academic positive illusory bias in college students and whether cultural factors play a role in its expression. A total of 633 college students from China and the United States completed measures designed to assess biased self-perception of academics. Among other measures, the nonclinical sample completed a math task and then estimated their own achievement and completed measures of intellectual and scholastic self-competence. Symptoms of ADHD were unrelated to overconfidence on the math task and were negatively related to reports of self-competence. However, individualism and collectivism were related to overconfidence and self-competence. In contrast to results from research in other domains, academic positive illusory bias among those with more symptoms of ADHD does not appear to persist into college.