Abstract:
This exploratory cross sectional random survey enumerates 67 types of behavioral reactions observed during psychological testing on 228 children with academic problems. The behaviors are empirically validated and grouped under speech, voice, emotions, motor and social domains. Gender, grade, and type of school emerge as significant variable in influencing during test behaviors that range from nervousness, shyness, timidity, trembling, and fear of making mistakes to teary eyes. Their general demeanor during testing is one of opposition, restless-over activity, avoidance, reluctance to speak or engage in test tasks, withdrawal, poor goal directedness, frequent seeking for reassurance or redirection which are interpreted as cues from the child’s inner mental state indicating a cry for help.