Self-Concept Dr. Aubrey H. Fine

Starlight Express

...Only you have the power within you. –Just believe in yourself, the sea will part before you. –Stop the rain, turn the tide. –If only you use the power within you, –You needn’t beg the world to turn around and help you. –If you draw on what you have within you –Somewhere deep inside… I AM THE STARLIGHT –Starlight Express

I CAN I can handle it

I CAN I can’t handle it

“The greatest evil that can befall man is that he should come to think evil of himself.” – Goethe

The Suitcase of Doom

“How to survive and not be a victim of failure.”

The Builder I saw them tearing a building down A team of men in my hometown. With a heave and a ho and a yes yes yell, They swung a beam and a sidewall fell. And I said to the foreman, “Are these men skilled?” “Like the ones you’d use if you had to build?” And he laughed and said, “Oh no, indeed… The most common labor is all I need… For I can destroy in a day or two What takes a builder then years to do.” So I thought to myself as I went on my way… Am I one who is tearing down as I carelessly make my way around? Or am I one who builds with care, in order to make the world a Little better…because I was there?

Characteristics of Risk Individuals Weak perception of personal capabilities Weak perception of personal significance Weak perception of personal influence

Inadequate Intra-Personal Skills (Self-Assessment) Inadequate inter-personal skills (dialogue, communication) Inadequate systemic skills (responsibility, adaptability, etc.) Inadequate judgmental skills (applying learned knowledge, wisdom)

Learned Helplessness Defined Learned helplessness results when a person expects that important events or outcomes in his/her life are independent of his or her own responding. [In other words, when the things that matter to a person are felt to be beyond that person’s control, then she/he becomes a victim of learned helplessness.]

Three Broad Effects of Helplessness 1.Reduces people’s motivation to control outcomes – becoming passive recipients. 2.Interferes with a person’s ability to learn that he/she can control outcomes. 3.May produce levels of depression.

Locus of Control A child’s perception of who is responsible for one’s success of failure in a particular achievement area.

Internal vs. External Internal – those who feel they control their reinforcements. External – those who perceive their outcomes to be independent of their responses.

Cognitive Attribution Theories Assumes that people’s perceptions of the causes of their success and failures influence the quality of their future achievement.

Failure Avoiding Ascribe successful to external factors (e.g. luck) Ascribe failure to inability

Motivated to Approach Success Attribute success to ability Attribute failure to lack of effort

Attribution Theory –Investigate person’s perceptions of causes Factors –Informational causes –History of successes or failures –Reinforcement history –Feedback –The allocation of responsibility influences subsequent behaviors

Factors Contributing to Negative Motivation School / Home environment The Parent Teacher The child The classroom environment Evaluation system

Major Perceived Causes for Achievement Performance Ability Effort Luck Task Ease / Difficulty

Understanding Your Explanatory Style to Your Behavior Three dimensions to investigate Permanence Pervasiveness Personalization

OPTISISM VS. PESSIMISM

OPTMISISM

People who are optimistic explain good events in terms of permanent causes.

How you think about your concerns will either relieve or aggravate it.

Pessimism produces a level of inertia rather than activity in the face of setbacks. Pessimism just like optimism is self-fulfilling. Pessimists don’t persist in the face of challenges, and therefore fail more frequently.

RUMINATION

Depression and a sense of helplessness occurs as a result of a lifelong series of habits and conscious thought.

Ramifications of Success and Failure Failure Success -Frustration - Perceived Incompetence - Avoidance - Negative Responses from Others - Aggression “Demoralization Syndrome” SuccessFailure - Positive External Response - Increased Internal Motivation - Enhanced Perceived Competence - Risk Taking

ABILITY EFFORT PERFORMANCE SELF-ESTEEM (PERSON)

The Three Magic Ingredients of Self- Esteem Belonging Feeling competent Feeling worthwhile

The Three Major Ingredients to Successful Relationships Dignity, Respect, Communication - Democratic living is based on mutual respect.

The Difficulty of Being A Risk Taker The Empty Glass vs. the Full Glass

The only way to grow is to take risks and get involved.

Three Critical Beliefs A.I am a capable person who can change if I choose. B.My life is significant. (I must realize I’m important). C.I must discover that I have the power within.

HELPFUL BELIEFS Beliefs That Help Children Lead More Effective and Healthy Lives

Belief 1: It is Important to Try

Belief 2: Failure is an event, not a person. Mistakes are O.K., one can turn them into lessons

“Nobody can make you feel inferior without your consent”. – E. Roosevelt

Only when the mind is ready, the teacher appears. – Zen Expression

Belief 3: It is O.K. to Make Mistakes

Belief 4: I am responsible for my day.

Belief 5: I can handle it when things go wrong.

Success is a journey…not a destination.

Belief 6: Other people are O.K. and I am O.K.

Belief 7: I am capable.

“Where a person’s treasure lies, the heart will be.” A person’s uniqueness is his/her treasure

Empowerment

What Children Need for Empowerment Dignity…Respect Self-affirmation of dreams Dreams and a commitment can change the world

Guidelines in Enhancing Motivation in Children I.Reduce social comparison II.Increase involvement in learning III.Focus on effort IV.Promote beliefs in competence V.Increase chances for success

Principles for Enhancing Self Concept in Children 1. Listen to and acknowledge children’s thoughts and feelings 2. Help children experience success 3. Give children reasonable control over their lives 4. Demonstrate to children that they’re lovable and capable 5. “Model” a health and positive self concept

Increase Chances for Success A. Provide skill training B. Use peer tutoring C. Use cooperative team learning D. Use individualized instruction E. Teach self control F. Teach and promote positive self talk

The Man in the Glass When you get what you want in your struggle for self And the world makes you king for a day, Just go to the mirror and look at yourself And see what that man has to say For it isn’t your father or mother or wife Whose judgment upon you must pass The fellow whose verdict counts most in your life Is the one staring back from the glass You may be like Jack Horner and chisel a plum And think you’re a wonderful guy. But the man in the glass says you’re only a bum If you can’t look him straight in the eye. You may fool the whole world down the pathway of years And get pats on the back as you pass. But your final reward will be heartache and tears If you’ve cheated the man in the glass. He’s the fellow to please – never mind all the rest, For he’s with you clear to the end. And you’ve passed your most dangerous, difficult test If the man in the glass is your friend. ~ Author Unknown