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