fact or fiction? self esteem as an explanatory phenomenon for student problem behavior
TRANSCRIPT
FACT OR FICTION?
Self Esteem as an Explanatory Phenomenon for Student
Problem Behavior
Self Esteem
What is it?
Operational/observable definition?
How does one improve their self esteem?
JJ
JJ is a 9th grade student in a Behavior School.Behavior of Concern: self deprecating
comments; “I’m stupid”, “I’m dumb”, “I hate my life”, “I’m horrible”, “I’m bad at this”
Teacher says behavior is related to extremely low self esteem and a longing for positive attention from adults and peers
ABC Observation
A B C
5 of 7 occurrences were preceded by teacher correction for an incorrect response
7 incidents -I’m horrible
-I suck at this
-I hate my life
-F’ this… I’m bad at this
-No one’s gonna like it, it’s stupid
-Why am I so stupid?
-Well I messed up
-student most often rec’d 1:1 adult support, talk quietly supportively
Get Adult Attn
In a 37 minute observation during Literacy Arts – LANGUAGE! Instruction
-7 occurrences of self-deprecating comments
JC
Example 2
JC
Behavior Classroom1st grade student
Math group – small group instructionWon’t try – fear of failure
Teacher says “Low Self Esteem”
ABC Observation
A B C12:35 T: “J count from 25-30” No response T: “J count from 25-30”
T: “J count from 25-30” No response T: “25, 26, 27..”
12:36 T: “25, 26, 27..” No response T: “Count w/ me 25, 26, 27…”
T: “Count w/ me 25, 26, 27…”
“25, 26, 27” T: “What comes next?”
T: “What comes next?” J: picks up pencil & begins to draw
T: “No pencil, if you don’t count now, have to do at free choice time” & takes pencil
T: “No pencil…” & takes pencil
No response T: “Jimmy 25..”
12:36 T: “Jimmy 25..” J: “25…29,30” T: “Good see I knew you could do it”
FROM “NURTURESHOCK” BY BRONSON & MERRYMAN
(2009)
Summary of self-esteem research
Self Esteem
Branden (1969) The Psychology of Self Esteem Wrote (opined)) that self esteem was the single most
important facet of a person the belief that one must do whatever he can to
achieve positive self-esteem has become a movement w/ broad societal effects
Self Esteem
By 1984 California created an official Self Esteem Task Force Believing that improving citizens’ self esteem
would do everything from lower dependence on welfare to decrease teen pregnancy
Self esteem turned into a “unstoppable train” Anything potentially damaging to kids self esteem
was axed E.g. Competition (not keeping score, trophies for all), red
pencils, etc.
Self Esteem
2003 Review of Self Esteem Literature by Baumeister
From 1970 to 2000 there were over 15000 scholarly articles written on self esteem BUT results were often contradictory or
inconclusive ALSO polluted w/ flawed science
Only 200 studies employed scientifically sound way to measure self-esteem and its’ outcomes
Self Esteem
Review of 200 sound studies found:(Baumeister, 2003) High self esteem didn’t:
Improve grades Improve career achievement Reduce alcohol use Lower violence
Found highly aggressive, violent people tend to think very highly of themselves