1. Write to Discuss Recall and write about a teacher who showed you that you “mattered.” How did you know? How did he/she show you that?

2. Mattering Theory Kevin Moberg PSYC 353: Adolescent Psychology June 20, 2008 “To be of importance to others is to be alive.” – T. S. Eliot

3. Agenda Review and discuss major concepts of Mattering Theory Apply those concepts to your own experiences Apply those concepts to your work as a teacher

4. Mattering Defined Fundamental need that we have to feel important and significant to others Extent to which we make a difference in the world around us To whom and to what degree we perceive that we matter Mattering Theory ► Definition Assumptions Implications

5. Assumptions Humans need to matter—it’s not merely a nice perk of social living but is instead a fundamental component of our self-identity. Society, too, needs humans to matter—social bonding and interdependence depend on our wanting to matter to one another. Mattering Theory Definition ►Assumptions Implications

6. Discuss Why does society depend on our feeling as though we matter? Why would a school community depend on its members’ feeling as though they matter? Mattering Theory Definition ► Assumptions Implications

7. Not Mattering If we don’t notice, believe, or receive indicators from others that we matter Consequence  we must find or create ways to cope with the realization that we do not matter Even negative attention is preferable to no attention whatsoever. Mattering Theory Definition Assumptions ►Implications

8. Not Mattering “Shunning” in US military academies Ignoring others of a lower social class What are other examples? What are potential reactions by those receiving no attention? –Internalized reactions –Outward reactions Mattering Theory Definition Assumptions ►Implications

9. Types of Mattering General (Awareness –mattering in a broad sense to society Interpersonal (Relationship) –mattering to specific other people Types of Mattering Awareness Relationship Importance Reliance Authenticity Mattering Relationship ImportanceReliance Awareness

10. We matter if others recognize, acknowledge, and pay attention to us. Negative attention is better than no attention at all. What are examples of ways to obtain others’ attention –in a positive way? –in a negative way? Types of Mattering ► Awareness Relationship Importance Reliance Authenticity

11. Relationship—Importance We matter if others are interested in, concerned about, and invested in us. We matter if we are someone’s “ego extension”—if they take pride in our accomplishments and feel shame over our shortcomings. Types of Mattering Awareness ►Relationship ►Importance Reliance Authenticity

12. Relationship—Reliance We matter if others depend on us for resources for their needs or wants. What are the benefits of this reliance for –the person being depended upon? –the person doing the depending? Types of Mattering Awareness ►Relationship Importance ►Reliance Authenticity

13. Genuine Mattering When others attend to, care about, or rely on us as an end unto itself—not as a means to gain something for themselves Insincerity: “I will pretend that you matter to me because [insert potential benefit to me].” What examples from a school setting can you think of? Types of Mattering Awareness Relationship Importance Reliance ► Authenticity

14. Positive Relationship Mattering and Self-esteem—evaluation of our own attributes Self-monitoring—control of self- representations that we put forth every day Social support—resources that others provide us to aid us in our lives Relating Other Constructs ► Positive relationship Negative relationship Connections

15. Discuss Why might you expect a sense of mattering in someone who has healthy self-esteem? control of his/her self- representation? strong social support? Relating Other Constructs ► Positive relationship Negative relationship Connections

16. Negative Relationship Mattering and Self-consciousness—chronic tendency to be the object of our own attention Alienation –Meaninglessness—thinking that there are no rules for life, so social interactions are unpredictable –Normlessness—thinking that social rules are ineffective and should be broken Relating Other Constructs Positive relationship ►Negative relationship Connections

17. Discuss Why might you expect a low sense of mattering in someone who has high self-consciousness? a sense of meaninglessness? a sense of normlessness? Relating Other Constructs Positive relationship ►Negative relationship Connections

18. Mattering to others  High self-concept High self-significance Physical wellness Psychosocial well-being Social support Job satisfaction Relating Other Constructs Positive relationship Negative relationship ►Connections

19. Connections Not mattering to others  Depression Loneliness Academic stress Job-related stress Deviant behavior Relating Other Constructs Positive relationship Negative relationship ►Connections

20. Mattering as a Teacher We feel we matter to those whom we help. –Sense of mattering brings meaning and satisfaction to our work. How will you tend to your own sense of mattering when –selecting a teaching job? –interacting with colleagues? –teaching students? Putting Mattering Theory into Practice ► With yourself With your students With this course

21. Mattering as a Student Students whom we help feel they matter to us. –Sense of mattering leads to confidence, persistence, graduation, dedication, success, etc. How will you tend to your students’ sense of mattering when –interacting with them in the classroom? outside the classroom? –responding to their behavior? Putting Mattering Theory into Practice With yourself ►With your students With this course

22. Expressing How Others Matter The perception of mattering— a sense of social support—is what’s important. Others’ indicators that we matter won’t mean anything unless we notice those indicators. Putting Mattering Theory into Practice With yourself ►With your students With this course

23. Discuss In your role as a teacher meaning to communicate to a student that he/she matters, how might you do so –verbally? –non-verbally? How can you check that he/she has noticed your verbal or non-verbal indicators? Putting Mattering Theory into Practice With yourself ►With your students With this course

24. Students’ Differing Needs More study required: Age Sex Ethnicity Socioeconomic background Sexual orientation Family structure Putting Mattering Theory into Practice With yourself ►With your students With this course

25. Key Concepts in Mattering Attention—the sense that we are noticed Importance—the belief that what we say or do has importance Ego extension—the feeling that others will be proud or disappointed in us Dependence—the sense that someone is counting on us Appreciation—the view that our efforts are appreciated Putting Mattering Theory into Practice With yourself With your students ►With this course

26. Discuss Return to your writing from the beginning of class. How can you interpret your experience with that teacher through the “lens” of mattering theory? Putting Mattering Theory into Practice With yourself With your students ►With this course

27. Assignment See our course page on iMoberg.com for assignments: –On-line discussion –Reading –Writing Putting Mattering Theory into Practice With yourself With your students ►With this course