According to research by James T. Webb, what might hinder high ability children at some point in their academic careers?

Perfectionism can indeed create significant challenges for high ability children. James T. Webb's research highlights how their desire for flawlessness and fear of failure can lead to anxiety, self-criticism, and a reluctance to take risks in their learning. These children may set extremely high standards for themselves, which can become a barrier to engagement in school and can inhibit their ability to complete tasks or pursue new challenges. Instead of cultivating their talent, perfectionism can sometimes result in underachievement or avoidance of tasks altogether, as they may feel they can't meet their own expectations.

In contrast, issues such as peer relationships, high expectations from teachers, and the lack of extracurricular activities, while potentially influential, do not capture the internal struggles that perfectionism inflicts on high ability students in the same way. Peer relationships, for example, may foster a sense of belonging, and supportive teacher expectations can motivate students. The absence of extracurricular activities could limit opportunities for engagement, but these factors do not directly lead to the same degree of psychological pressure that perfectionism can impose.