Perceived Competence and Self-Worth of LD and Normally Achieving Students

Abstract

Elementary and middle-school learning disabled (LD) and normally achieving (NA) students' responses to the Perceived Competence Scale for Children were compared. This scale measures general self-worth as well as perceptions of cognitive, social and physical competence. In accord with previous research, LD students were found to hold lower opinions of their cognitive abilities than did NA students. Furthermore, compared to their peers, LD students held less favorable perceptions of their physical abilities. LD and NA students' ratings for general self-esteem did not differ, nor did the groups vary in perception of social competence. These results indicate that LD children maintain generally positive self-evaluations, despite their recognition of limitations in some areas. Based on comparisons between teacher and student ratings, subgroups of LD students who held unrealistically positive or negative perceptions of themselves were identified. The characteristics of these subgroups were examined.