Verbal and Math Self-Concepts: An Internal/External Frame of Reference Model

American Educational Research Journal - Tập 23 Số 1 - Trang 129-149 - 1986
Herbert W. Marsh1
1The University of Sydney, Australia

Tóm tắt

The purpose of this investigation is to examine empirical support for the internal/external (I/E) frame of reference model that describes the relation between Verbal and Math self-concepts, and between these academic self-concepts and verbal and math achievement. The empirical tests are based on all studies (n = 6,010; age range = 7–35+ years) that have employed the Self Description Questionnaire (SDQ), SDQII, or SDQ III self-concept instruments. The I/E model posits, for example, that a high Math self-concept is more likely when math skills are good relative to those of peers (an external comparison) and when math skills are better than verbal skills (an internal comparison). Consistent with the model and empirical findings, (a) Verbal and Math self-concepts are nearly uncorrelated with each other even though verbal and math achievement indicators are substantially correlated with each other and with the matching areas of self-concept; (b) the direct effects of math achievement on Verbal self-concept, and of verbal achievement on Math self-concept, are both negative. For inferred self-concepts based on the ratings of external observers, the external process seems to operate, but not the internal process. The findings demonstrate that academic self-concepts are affected by different processes than are the academic achievement areas they reflect and the inferred self-concepts offered by external observers.

Từ khóa


Tài liệu tham khảo

Burns RB, 1979, The self-concept: Theory, measurement, development and behavior

10.3102/00346543054003427

10.1177/001316446302300306

Coopersmith SA, 1967, The antecedents of self-esteem

Crandall R, 1973, Measures of Social Psychological Attitudes, 45

10.3102/00346543052001123

10.3102/00028312021004799

10.1177/000494418402800207

MarshHWSelf Description Questionnaire (SDQ): An instrument for measuring multiple dimensions of preadolescent self-concept1985aSydney, AustraliaDepartment of Education, University of Sydney

MarshHWThe hierarchical structure of self-concept: An application of hierarchical confirmatory factor analysis1985bManuscript submitted for publication

Marsh HW, Developmental Psychology

10.1037/0022-0663.76.5.940

10.1037/0022-3514.49.5.1360

MarshHWGroundwater-SmithS[Self-Concept]1983Unpublished raw data

10.1111/j.1745-3984.1984.tb00227.x

10.1037/0022-3514.47.1.213

10.3102/00028312022003422

10.1111/j.2044-8279.1983.tb02536.x

10.1037/0022-3514.45.1.173

Marsh HW, Journal of Personality and Social Psychology

Marsh HW, Educational Psychologist

10.3102/00028312020003333

10.1080/00049538408255318

10.1037/0022-0663.77.5.581

10.1037/0022-0663.75.5.772

10.3102/00028312015001099

10.1037/0022-0663.71.1.94

Rosenberg M, 1965, Society and the adolescent child

10.3102/00346543046003407

Shavelson RJ, Anxiety and cognitions.

10.1037/0022-0663.73.3.404

Welles LE, 1976, Self-esteem: Its conceptualization and measurement.

Winne PH, 1981, Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association

10.3102/00028312017002183

Wylie RC, 1974, The self-concept, 1

Wylie RC, 1979, The self-concept, 2