Sex, Fear of Success, and the Perceptions and Performance of Law School Students

Abstract

An investigation of the effects of sex and Fear of Success upon academically-related perceptions and performance of law school students resulted in main effects for both sex and Fear of Success, but no interactions. Findings characteristic of women included fewer responses in class and greater reluctance to tell others if they made successful grades. Findings characteristic of high Fear of Success respondents included lower law aptitude scores and more frequent failure to volunteer answers in class when desiring to do so. No behaviors peculiar to women high in Fear of Success were obtained. The results indicated that women may be more likely than men to fear rejection, but are not more likely to fear success.