Understanding Self-Esteem in Education
Understanding Self-Esteem in Education
Méndez (2001)7It suggests that there are different levels of self-esteem, which is why
each person reacts to similar situations differently; having
unequal expectations for the future, varying reactions and disparate self-concepts.
which characterizes people with high, medium, and low self-esteem.
About the relationship that can exist between self-esteem and performance
academic, Larrosa 2005)19explain that various factors are involved
university failure, among them personal ones, that refer to the student
possessor of a set of neurobiological and psychological characteristics, such as
personality, intelligence, lack of motivation and interest, self-esteem, disorders
emotional, affective, derived from biological development and derived from
cognitive development (in many cases, they are not in balance)
developments, which can influence their classroom performance and by
consequent in their school performance).
References
1. FREUD, S. (1914), Introduction to Narcissism. In Complete Works,
Amorrortu publishers. Available at[Link]
2. Rogers C. The process of becoming a person, Planeta Group; Barcelona;
2000, available at: [Link]
id=8Mh0AgAAQBAJ&printsec=frontcover&hl=en#v=onepage&q&f=false
3. Ross M. El Mapa de la Autoestima, argentina: buenos aires; editorial
dunken; 2013, available at[Link]
id=7X0TnwEACAAJ&printsec=frontcover&hl=en#v=onepage&q&f=false
4. Válek de Bracho M. Self-esteem and social motivations in students of
higher education; {Thesis to obtain the Degree of Master
Sciences in Educational Psychology. Maracaibo: Rafael University
Urdaneta; 2007. Available at [Link]
free/2011b/971/theoretical%20foundations%20of%[Link]
5. Rogers, CR, Stevens, B., Gendlin, ET, Shlien, JM, & Van Dusen, W.
(1967). One person to another: The problem of the human being: A new
trend in psychology. Lafayette, CA: Real People Press. Available at
[Link]
Self-esteem plays a critical role in academic performance, particularly during the transition from secondary to university education. During this transition, students face decreased personal teacher-student contact and increased freedom and responsibilities, posing challenges that can negatively affect self-esteem. High self-esteem students adapt better, managing autonomy and academic demands efficiently. Low self-esteem may lead to discouragement and depression, thereby impairing academic engagement and success. The educational environment significantly influences self-esteem and indirectly impacts academic performance by shaping students' self-image and motivation .
The educational environment significantly impacts a student's self-evaluation and future expectations by shaping their self-concept through interactions and feedback. Positive environments with supportive teacher-student relationships foster high self-esteem, leading to positive self-evaluations and higher future aspirations. Conversely, environments that focus on negative criticism or lack support can damage self-esteem, potentially resulting in diminished self-evaluation and lowered expectations. These effects underscore the role of the educational setting in either fostering resilience and motivation or contributing to academic and personal challenges .
According to Santrock, self-esteem significantly influences a student's motivation and perception of their academic abilities. Students with low self-esteem may harbor negative evaluations of their capabilities and worthiness, leading them to doubt their potential and goals. This lack of confidence can decrease their motivation to strive for academic success, creating a cycle of poor performance and further diminished self-esteem. Thus, the student's own belief in their ability directly impacts their academic efforts and outcomes .
The findings from DuBois, Bull, Sherman & Roberts (1998) suggest a significant correlation between self-esteem and academic performance among adolescents. The study indicates that lower academic performers often exhibit lower self-esteem, criminal behavior, rebellious attitudes, and a sense of personal inefficacy. This underscores the importance of self-esteem as both a contributing factor and a consequence of academic challenges, influencing behavioral choices and future professional expectations. The implications stress the need for interventions targeting self-esteem enhancement to potentially boost academic outcomes .
Freudian psychology views self-esteem as a dual concept encompassing both consciousness of oneself and an evaluative sense of one's worth related to ideals, thus integrating both internal awareness and external standards. In contrast, the humanistic perspective by Carl Rogers emphasizes the subjective experiences and inherent worth of individuals, focusing on self-perception and the unconditional respect deserved by everyone. Rogers highlights the intrinsic value without tying self-esteem to external accomplishments or societal ideals, differing substantially from Freud's integration of external dimensions .
Martin Ross identifies 'achievements' and 'anti-achievements' as the two primary components of self-esteem. Achievements are those aspects of life that elicit pride and social prestige, such as virtues or circumstances the person feels proud of and eager to showcase. In contrast, anti-achievements are events or attributes that induce feelings of shame and a sense of lesser value, diminishing social prestige and self-respect. These elements impact an individual's self-perception by influencing their sense of self-worth and the way they engage with society .
Carl Rogers' humanistic psychology perspective defines self-esteem as the experiential composition constituted by perceptions of the self, relationships with others, and life in general, combined with values accorded by the individual to themselves. This perspective emphasizes the subjectivity of self-esteem, indicating that it is deeply rooted in each individual's frame of reference and experiential background .
Santín suggests several educational strategies to enhance student self-esteem and academic performance. These include creating supportive and inclusive learning environments where students feel valued and respected, using positive reinforcement to build confidence, focusing on students' strengths, and providing opportunities for success through achievable goals. Encouraging students to express themselves and participate actively can also boost self-esteem, while offering constructive feedback helps them build resilience and motivation to improve academically .
People with high self-esteem are characterized by expressiveness, assertiveness, academic and social success, trust in their perceptions, high self-respect, and realistic goal-setting. They expect success and maintain high standards. Those with average self-esteem depend on social acceptance, are moderately positive, and have moderate competencies and expectations. Individuals with low self-esteem often feel discouraged, depressed, isolated, and unattractive. They struggle with self-expression, self-defense, fear others' anger, and lack the tools to handle anxiety. These differences highlight the varied psychological and behavioral adaptations linked to different self-esteem levels .
The document establishes a correlation between the years of education and self-esteem, highlighting their impact on academic self-concept. Prolonged educational experiences can influence self-esteem by shaping a student's self-image through interactions, evaluations, and feedback received from educational institutions. This exposure affects students' academic self-concept, often contributing to either improved confidence in their capabilities or, conversely, feelings of inadequacy if faced with negative experiences. As students advance in their education, their evolving self-concepts play pivotal roles in their academic performances .