1. Mean of Subjectivity of Self Mean of Objectivity of Self
Comparing level of self-concept in street and non-street children in Tehran Dr. Reza Pourhossein, Nazanin Khosravi, Nasim Tavassoli Department of Psychology, University of Tehran, Iran
Introduction
Results
T test results show that the score of objective self is significant (< 05.0 ). Also street children scored higher on objective self in comparison to the control group.
With regard to the table, the majority of the control group is in higher level of subjective and objective selves in comparison to street children.
Damon and Hart (1991) claim that self-concept is an innate characteristic of human, which is structured early in life and develops during life span. This theory is based on socio-cognitive view, in which self plays a mediator role between internal and external worlds as a behavioral regulator.
Damon and Hart have a multidimensional model of the development of self which contains physical, active, social and psychological schemes. They describe four levels of organizing principles from early childhood to later adolescence: categorical identifications, comparative assessments, interpersonal implications and systematic beliefs and plans. Well distinction between schemes and levels is essential because they propose that each scheme is used at each level.
Environment and social contexts are influential factors on development of self. Mayer (1991) suggests that self-concept is not only the expression of individual identity, but it also shows social identity.
Children are the most vulnerable members of society. Research has shown the significant impact of the socio-economic aspect of society and family on children. (Pourhossein, 2003)
As mentioned above, environmental factors have a significant influence on development of self-concept. Street children spend most of their time on the streets and most of them work due to poverty. Therefore, their family is people on the street and their family environment is the society.
Self-concept / Index P
T test
Objectivity of Self
0.000
0.44
Subjectivity of Self
0.624
Group
Mean of Subjectivity of Self
Mean of Objectivity of Self
Street children
1.423
0.724
Non-street children
1.952
2.375
Objectivity of Self
Subjectivity of self
Level
Boys %
Girls %
Total %
Non-street children 1
8.8
4.4
11.11
3.3
7.7 2
1.1
44.4
25.5
18.8 3
48.8 20
28.8
35.5
15.5 4
14.4
6.6
2.2
Street Children
41.11
24.4
16.6 40
26.6
5.5
Conclusion
Methods
Results show that the majority of 9-13 year-old street children are in the level 2 of self-concept (Comparative assessment) whereas the analogous control group is in the Interpersonal implication which is level 3. One important factor that influences level of self-concept is parent-child interaction, which is limited in case of street children. Many of these children live far from their family or have strict parents. Also street children do not benefit from a proper education system or cultural facilities.
Results show subjective self grows slower that objective self in general.
In terms of subjective self, street children are in level 1 in comparison to the control group which is in level 2. Also in objective self, street children scored lower than non-street children (respectively level 2 and level 3).
Gender variable has no significant impact on self-concept
The population of this research is the entire street children population who live in Tehran. Due to problems regarding random sampling, available sampling is conducted. The sample group consists of 90 street and 90 non-street children (equally chosen male and female from each group of 90) ranged from 9 to 13 years old. Damon and Hart’s interview was used to find self-concept score among these groups. After collecting the data, independent-samples T-test is used for statistical analysis.
References
Damon, W. & Hart, D. (1991). Self-understanding in childhood and adolescence. New York: Cambridge university press
Myers, D. G. (1999). Social psychology: 6th edition .McGraw-Hill college.
Pourhossein, R. (2003). Psychology of Self: 2nd edition. Amir-Kabir Publication.