Comparisons of mathematical creativity,some personality and biographical factors of middle school dropouts and stayins

Middle school dropouts and stayins were compared on mathematical creativity, some personality and biographical factors. Verbal and non‐verbal mathematical creativity tests, a Hindi adaptation of the Thorndike dimensions of temperament test and a biographical inventory were used on 70 dropouts and 100 stayins male students, aged 11+ to 13+ years, randomly selected, from Sultanpur District, India. The results showed that: (1) mathematical creativity of dropouts was found to be lower than stayins; (2) dropouts were found to be sociable, accepting, reflective, lethargic and casual in nature whereas stayins were found to be solitary, critical, practical, premeditated, active and responsible in nature; and (3) the level of family income, professional background of the family, parents’ education, standard of living, interest‐patterns, attitude and level of aspiration of the stayins were found to be higher than of the dropouts.