The study, based on detailed questioning of 238 children in two Kent primary schools, found that girls had formed these attitudes by the time they were in reception year and that they held on to them throughout primary school.
Boys' opinions were split from reception to year two, but by the age of eight, the boys appeared to agree, saying that girls were more likely to have the right qualities to do well at school.
Children of both sexes thought that, in general, adults believe that girls do better at school than boys.
For the study, which was presented at the British Educational Research Association, children aged between four and ten were presented with a series of statements and scenarios.
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