Academic Self-concept Research Articles

Why does the brain matter for education?

The present special issue on mind, brain and education (educational neuroscience) contains four papers that employ a neuroscience-informed approach to educational phenomena, including dyslexia, academic self-concepts, bullying and the effect of mindset on learning. This commentary positions the papers with respect to the goals and methods of educational neuroscience, placing them on a continuum of approaches from basic research to applied intervention. We argue that a focus on the brain matters for teachers because it increases understanding of how learning works and the factors that influence learning outcomes and student well-being without being reductionist. Constraints on learning that arise from biology sometimes seem arbitrary outside a neuroscience framework (several examples are provided). A neuroscience perspective encourages a more holistic and developmental view of learning than a narrow cognitive (memory) oriented approach. Because educational neuroscience is an inherently translational field that relies on dialogues between researchers and practitioners, we argue it is important to understand how teachers view the field and how insights from the science of learning might usefully feed into their practice. We then assess the insights, strengths and limitations of the four papers, as well as the potential that their respective lines of work offer.

SES and academic achievement are (not always) related: Profiles of student SES, academic achievement and their links to socio-emotional, cognitive, and metacognitive characteristics

BackgroundSES is a well-established predictor of academic achievement. However, not all students perform according to their SES-background and the predominantly variable-oriented body of research has neglected the investigation of constellations of SES and academic achievement differing from the commonly reported correlational links. AimsThis study adopted a person-centered approach to identify different SES-achievement patterns and to compare them in terms of individual psychological characteristics. SampleData were collected from an SES-diverse sample of 171 French ninth-graders (Mage = 14.40 years). MethodWe applied latent profile analysis (LPA) to (a) identify the various profiles when considering SES and academic achievement in a national standardized exam, and (b) investigate differences between the profiles regarding individual student characteristics (i.e., school well-being, academic self-concept, text anxiety, executive functions, and metacognition). ResultsLPA revealed 4 profiles: Group 1 (‘resilient achievers’, 19.9% of the sample) was characterized by below-average SES but above-average achievement, Group 2 (‘expected high achievers’, 42.1%) by above-average SES and achievement, Group 3 (‘expected low achievers’, 12.9%) by below-average SES and achievement, and Group 4 (‘underachievers’, 25.1%) by above-average SES and below-average achievement. ‘Resilient achievers’ displayed higher school happiness, better working memory and metacognitive knowledge than ‘underachievers’, and higher academic self-concept than ‘underachievers’ and ‘expected low achievers’. ConclusionsOverall, these results suggest that academic resilience of low-SES students is related to socio-emotional, cognitive, and metacognitive resources that should be fostered in all students to promote academic achievement.

The big-fish-little-pond effect on academic self-concept among Chinese middle school students

The big-fish-little-pond effect on academic self-concept among Chinese middle school students

Comparison effects on self- and external ratings: Testing the generalizability of the 2I/E model to parents and teachers of academic track school students

BackgroundAccording to the 2I/E model, social, dimensional, and temporal comparisons represent key determinants of students' academic self-concepts. However, it is unclear to what extent these assumptions also apply to external ratings of students’ self-concepts and abilities provided by central socializers. AimsThis study aimed to examine the extent of generalizability of the 2I/E model to different parent and teacher ratings simultaneously for the first time. SampleParticipants were 545 ninth-grade students from academic track schools in Germany, their parents, math teachers, and German teachers. MethodsWe investigated the joint effects of social, dimensional, and temporal comparisons on student self-concepts, parent and teacher ratings of student self-concepts, and parent and teacher ratings of student abilities in math and German using structural equation modeling. ResultsOur results strongly support the assumptions of the 2I/E model for student self-concepts, as we found strong social, moderate dimensional, and small temporal comparison effects in both domains. For parent ratings of student self-concepts and abilities, we found strong social and—except for parent German ability ratings—moderate to small dimensional comparison effects. For teacher ratings of student self-concepts and abilities, results showed only strong social comparison effects in both domains. Temporal comparison effects were not found for either parents or teachers. ConclusionsGiven the lack of temporal comparison effects on parent and teacher ratings, this study's findings question the generalizability of the 2I/E model to external ratings. However, they point to interesting discrepancies regarding social and dimensional comparison effects on parent and teacher ratings.

The Mediating Role of Teacher Efficacy Between Academic Self-Concept and Teacher Identity Among Pre-Service Physical Education Teachers: Is There a Gender Difference?

The aim of this study was to analyse the differentiated role played by academic self-concept on teacher identity, taking into account the mediating role of teacher efficacy and the gender of the pre-service physical-education teachers. In this cross-sectional study, 478 master's degree students in Secondary Education Teacher Training participated (Mean = 27.09; SD = 6.32; 54.8% male, 44.8% female, 0.4% other). The following scales were used: academic self-concept, teaching identity, and teacher self-efficacy. After finding significant differences in academic effort, a structural equation analysis (SEM) with the multigroup option was conducted to answer the research objective. The results revealed that the women had significantly higher mean academic effort values than the men. In addition, the SEM, which showed excellent fit indices, revealed that, for the men, teacher efficacy acted as a mediating variable between academic confidence and teacher identity. In contrast, for the women, teacher efficacy acted as a mediator between academic effort and teacher identity. However, academic effort also acted as a direct predictor of teacher identity in male pre-service teachers. As a main conclusion, it can be said that the findings highlight the importance of academic self-concept in undertaking the master's degree by increasing teacher identity through the teaching efficacy of pre-service teacher educators.

잠재성장모형을 활용한 교사와 학생 간 친밀감, 개별화 수업, 학업적 자아개념 및 진로성숙도의 종단 분석

This study utilized the longitudinal data from the Korean Education Longitudinal Study (KELS) 2013 (Ⅲ), specifically the 6th to 8th waves, to analyze the structural relationships among teacher-student intimacy, individualized instruction, academic self-concept, and career maturity. The study participants included a total of 7,324 students, with 3,623 boys (49.5%) and 3,701 girls (50.5%). The analysis method utilized was the Multivariate Latent Growth Model (MLGM). The research results showed that first, the analysis of the trajectories of the variables indicated that the fit of the linear change model was better than that of the no-change model, and there was a negative correlation between the initial values and the rates of change of the variables. Second, it was confirmed that teacher-student intimacy and individualized instruction have a significant impact on academic self-concept and career maturity. Third, academic self-concept was found to mediate the related variables. Based on these findings, implications for academic and career development were derived.

Test Anxiety Among Czech Pupils in Lower-Secondary Education

Test anxiety remains a compelling focus of contemporary research. This attention may be, in part, due to the continued reliance on high-stakes testing, which plays a pivotal role in students' academic trajectories. Our research had several objectives. Given the lack of research on test anxiety in the Czech Republic, our primary aim was to adapt and validate the Children's Test Anxiety Scale (CTAS) on a sample of 740 lower-secondary students (ages 13-15). The results demonstrated adequate construct validity, supporting the three-factor model of the CTAS. Moreover, we investigated the relationship between test anxiety, academic self-concept, and educational outcomes alongside other demographic variables. Our findings revealed a strong negative correlation linking students' academic self-concept and test anxiety. Although no direct correlation emerged between test anxiety and educational outcomes, a linear regression indicated a significant shift: educational outcomes (grades) became significant predictors when considered in conjunction with academic selfconcept. Additionally, our study confirmed a significant impact of gender on test anxiety levels (girls exhibited higher test anxiety than boys) and a modest but significant correlation with parental educational background.

Social Comparison, Belongingness, Self-Doubt, and Stress: The Case of Hispanic Students at Hispanic Majority Institutions

Social comparison processes can affect academic and interpersonal outcomes for minoritized college students. However, the literature has not addressed how these processes play out for Hispanic students who attend Hispanic Majority Institutions, in which Hispanic students comprise more than 50% of the population. In this study, such students ( N = 191) completed online assessments for social comparison orientation (SCO), belongingness, academic self-concept, and perceived stress. Results showed that, regarding belongingness, SCO was positively correlated to rejection/exclusion, but not acceptance/inclusion. Regarding academic self-concept, SCO was positively correlated to self-doubt, but not self-confidence. Mediation analyses showed that perceived stress fully mediated the relationship between SCO and rejection/exclusion, and partially mediated the relationship between SCO and academic self-doubt. In other words, SCO was associated with increased stress, which was then associated with increased feelings of rejection/exclusion and self-doubt about academic abilities. These findings offer additional insight into Hispanic college students’ experience.

Students’ Academic Self-Concept and Their Academic Achievement in Mathematics in Bekwarra Local Government Area of Cross River State

The study looked into the relationship between senior secondary two (SS2) students' academic self-concept and their mathematics achievement in Bekwarra Local Government Area of Cross River State. This study was directed by three research questions and three matching null hypotheses. A sample of 318 senior secondary two (SS2) students offering Mathematics which comprised two hundred (200) female and one hundred and eighteen (118) male SS 2 students drawn from six (6) secondary schools from a population of 1544 SS2 students offering Mathematics in Bekwarra Local Government Area, Cross River State using Taro Yamane's sample size formula and A simple random selection method was employed, namely by balloting. Two instruments were used for data collection titled; Academic Self-Concept Scale (ASCS) and Mathematics Achievement Test (MAT) used for data collection. Cronbach Alpha (∝) method was used to determine the internal consistency of the Academic Self-Concept Scale (ASCS). The reliability coefficient of the Academic Self-Concept Scale (ASCS) was 0.81. Kuder-Richardson 20 formula method was used to determine the reliability coefficients for the Mathematics Achievement Test (MAT). The reliability coefficients obtained was 0.91 for BAT. The research questions and all null hypotheses were answered and tested using simple linear regression at 0.05 level of significant. Results of the study revealed that: % variation in academic achievement of male students in mathematics was due to their self-concept, and that the academic achievement of male students in mathematics is not significantly correlated with their self-concept. On the other hand, 17% variation in the academic achievement of female students in mathematics was due to their self-concept, and the academic achievement of female students in mathematics is significantly correlated with their self-concept. Finally, students’ self-concept accounted for 23% variation in their academic achievement in Mathematics, and that students’ self-concept significantly relate with their academic Achievement in Mathematics in Bekwarra Local Government Area. The researcher recommended among other things, that parents should help their children have a positive self-concept in mathematics from an early age.

Who flourishes in school? The interplay of academic self-concept and personality and its role for academic performance in middle adolescence.

Why are some students more successful than others? We combined motivational and personality predictors and jointly examined the relevance of subject-specific academic self-concepts and Big Five personality traits for academic performance. Based on data from two independent studies of German 9th graders (Study 1: N = 1,508, Mage = 14.98 years, 51% female, 38% immigrant background; Study 2: N = 19,783, Mage = 15.10 years, 50% female, 36% immigrant background), we, first, estimated latent bivariate correlations to investigate the nomological net between these socioemotional characteristics. Second, using latent moderated regression models, we examined the role of the main and interaction effects of both characteristics for academic performance levels and changes assessed by grades and test scores. Finally, we tested whether the relevance of socioemotional characteristics for academic performance differed across sociodemographic characteristics. Five findings stand out: First, we established widely consistent nomological nets between the academic self-concepts and Big Five traits, especially regarding the German self-concept. Second, the domain-specific self-concepts were consistent predictors of different academic performance measures in the respective subject. Third, beyond the established main effects of openness and conscientiousness, all Big Five traits contributed to performance in some way. Fourth, despite some inconsistencies, socioemotional characteristics formed only synergistic interaction effects. Fifth, students' sociodemographic background was likewise important illustrating main effects on performance and foremost synergistic interaction effects with socioemotional predictors. Our results highlight the complex interplay between motivation, personality, and sociodemographic variables in predicting academic achievement and underline the need to be mindful of this interactive nature. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Exploring English self-concept and investment of successful EFL learners from a Chinese secondary school

Academic self-concept, a central psychological construct that powerfully explains learners’ varied motivations and learning behaviors, needs to be further explored to deepen our understanding of language learner psychology. Drawing on self-reported learning histories, this study investigates the English self-concept of successful English as a foreign language (EFL) learners and their mediated learning behaviors from the theoretical lens of personal investment theory (Maehr & Braskamp, 1986). Data were collected from 12 students at a key secondary school in Shanghai using retrospective narratives and semi-structured interviews. The analysis revealed three categories of cognitive and affective characteristics in the learners’ English self-concept and the corresponding investment features with subtle differences identified. Participants espoused average to high competency beliefs and moderate to strong positive affect toward English learning, nurtured by positive self-beliefs such as interest and self-efficacy formed through early English learning experience. Their sustainable, targeted, and resilient investment in English learning was also underpinned by the perception of mastery and performance goals appropriately afforded by teachers, parents, peers, or the school. Practical implications for parents and educators are discussed in terms of what they can do to help learners build positive self-perceptions as EFL learners.

Science the influence of teacher support and parental monitoring on academic achievement in high school students: The role of academic self-concept as a moderating variable

Science the influence of teacher support and parental monitoring on academic achievement in high school students: The role of academic self-concept as a moderating variable

Tests of moderation of the big-fish-little-pond effect across students with and without special educational needs in regular versus special education schools

BackgroundInclusive education has become increasingly popular based on the assumption that it has multiple benefits for students with special educational needs (SEN). However, contradictions remain regarding the widespread nature of these benefits, particularly when it comes to academic motivation. AimsIn this large-scale cross-sectional study, we relied on the Big-Fish-Little-Pond Effect (BFLPE) to assess the links between inclusive education and students’ academic self-concepts and learning interests in the mathematics and verbal domains. SampleThe sample consisted of 21,219 German elementary school children in Grade 4 who were enrolled in three groups: students without SEN attending regular schools (n1 = 19,069), students with SEN attending regular schools (n2 = 933), and students with SEN attending special education schools (n3 = 1214). MethodsDoubly latent multi-group multilevel structural equation models and tests of latent interaction were performed to test the BFLPE. ResultsResults supported the BFLPE for both outcomes and domains. However, no BFLPE was identified for learning interest in the verbal domain among students with SEN attending special education schools, although the size of this effect did not differ significantly from that observed among students without SEN. In regular schools, the BFLPE was almost two times stronger among students with SEN than among their peers without SEN. ConclusionsResults support the generalizability of the BFLPE to students with SEN, while casting doubts on the motivational benefits of inclusive education for these students. Interventions targeted at attenuating the BFLPE should thus be tailored for both regular and special education schools.

Questioning the Reciprocal Effects Model of Academic Self-Concept and Achievement: A Reanalysis of a Meta-Analysis of Longitudinal Studies and a Simulation

A recent meta-analysis claimed to provide evidence that academic self-concept and achievement have reciprocal prospective effects on each other (reciprocal effects model). However, prospective effects were estimated while adjusting for a prior measurement of the outcome, and this method is susceptible to spurious findings due to correlations with residuals and regression to the mean. Here we re-analyze the meta-analytic effects and show that different plausible models can support opposing claims: either that self-concept had an increasing or a decreasing effect on achievement, and vice versa. Consequently, claims beyond a positive cross-sectional correlation between academic self-concept and achievement, including the reciprocal effects model, can be questioned. The findings were validated by analyses of simulated data, which indicated that true prospective effects were not necessary for the observed meta-analytic associations. We further propose the extended skill development model (ESDM) as a more parsimonious alternative to the reciprocal effects model.

초등학생의 내재적 조절동기에 영향을 미치는 학생 및 학교 특성 변인 간의 구조적 관계 분석

Objectives This study aimed to examine multilevel structural relationships between student and school characteristic variables affecting intrinsic regulatory motivation in sixth-grade elementary school students. At the student level, teacher-student relationships and peer relationships were set as influencing factors, while at the school level, teacher enthusiasm and teacher pressure for achievement were set as influencing factors, with academic self-concept as a mediator. Methods The second-year data from the Korea Education Longitudinal Study 2013 (6th grade of elementary school) was analyzed using multi-level path analysis, which takes into account the hierarchical attributes of students and schools. To verify the goodness-of-fit of the research model, the partially-saturated model method was applied, and the mediating effects of academic self-concept were tested using a Monte Carlo 95% confidence interval. Results At the student level, students' academic self-concept increased with better teacher-student and peer relationships, and higher academic self-concept led to higher levels of intrinsic regulatory motivation. At the school level, higher teacher enthusiasm was associated with higher overall academic self-concept among students, and higher academic self-concept positively influenced intrinsic regulatory motivation. The results of the mediation analysis showed that at the student level, academic self-concept partially mediated the relationships between teacher-student relationships and peer relationships and classroom attitudes, while at the school level, academic self-concept played a fully mediating role in the influence of teacher enthusiasm on intrinsic regulatory motivation. Conclusions Based on the analysis results of this study, specific strategies for enhancing intrinsic regulatory motivation in elementary school students were discussed in detail.

Internal structure validity of the Self Description Questionnaire II and latent academic self-concept profiles of 9th grade students

The study was designed in two parts. First, we assessed the internal structure validity, measurement invariance across gender, and reliability of scores on the Slovenian version of the Self Description Questionnaire II (SDQ-II) in a sample of 9th grade students from Slovenian primary schools (N = 370). The modified nested Marsh/Shavelson model fit the data best, while measurement invariance across gender was not supported. In the second part, we used latent profile analysis to investigate different profiles of students' academic self-concept. We identified five distinct and interpretable profiles that differed by profile level (high, medium, and low academic self-concept) and profile shape (high academic self-concept in one domain vs. low academic self-concept in another). Subsequent covariate analysis revealed meaningful differences between latent profiles by gender and in overall and three subject-specific school grades (math, Slovenian, geography). The psychometric properties of the SDQ-II and individual differences in academic self-concept are discussed. Educational relevance and implications statementThis study has important educational implications for researchers, teachers and school counsellors. The Slovenian version of the SDQ-II questionnaire was validated, providing a reliable tool for understanding the adolescents' academic self-concept (ASC). The identification of ASC profiles supports personalized teaching strategies and emphasizes the link between ASC and academic achievement, highlighting the importance of fostering students' self-concept. It also expands the understanding of ASC profiles in students by uncovering qualitative, i.e. different patterns of profiles for domain-specific self-concepts, and quantitative differences, i.e. different profile levels from low to high self-concepts.

A multigroup random-intercept cross-lagged panel model for Finnish secondary school students in frame of situated expectancy-value theory

The aim of this study is to examine both within-person and between-person associations of academic self-concept and task values in literacy and mathematics to identify the most promising motivational construct to prevent motivational decline during school transitions. The sample included 3636 students (average age at the start: 15.73 years, SD: 0.32 years) followed up three times from lower secondary school (T1) to the third year (T3) of upper secondary education, either in vocational or academic tracks. Multi-group random intercept cross-lagged panel models detected several spillover (cross-lagged) effects between self-concept and task values in mathematics but not in literacy. There were also marginal but significant differences between students from different educational tracks in both subjects. Overall, utility value and academic self-concept in mathematics were found to be the most promising motivational constructs in changing motivational beliefs, thus presenting important starting points in motivational interventions. Educational relevance and implications statementThis study highlights that spillover effects are more pronounced in maths than in literacy, emphasising the need for tailored interventions in mathematics education. Moreover, the potential disruption in students' motivational beliefs during school transitions suggests the importance of ensuring continuity in support to help mitigate the impact of these transitions. While our results indicate limited carryover effects, it is possible that school transitions are experienced as breaks in motivational development. The role of utility value in exhibiting spillover effects over school transitions in both maths and literacy suggests the significance of emphasising the practical relevance of academic subjects to sustain students' motivation. Additionally, recognising the superior role of academic self-concept in maths in spillover effects on task values underscores the importance of nurturing students' confidence and beliefs in their own mathematical abilities.

Language exposure and Chinese character handwriting among Hong Kong non-Chinese speaking students: The mediating role of academic self-concept

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between language exposure and Chinese character handwriting (CCW) among 103 non-Chinese speaking (NCS) students in Hong Kong. Specifically, it examined the impact of academic self-concept, including students’ self-perceptions of their Chinese character competence and affect, on the complex learning process of CCW in a multilingual context like Hong Kong. NCS students were invited to complete a writing-to-dictation test, a questionnaire on CCW exposure outside of the classroom, and a self-description questionnaire of academic self-concept. Path analysis was employed to analyse the path models within the constructs. The results revealed that language exposure had both direct and indirect effects on CCW through academic self-concept. Notably, the effect of language exposure on CCW was strongly mediated by competence self-concept but not affect self-concept. This suggests that NCS students evaluate their competence in producing desired outcomes within exposure environments based on their own self-perceptions. Drawing on these empirical findings, the article discusses the educational implications for Chinese as a second language learning and teaching. It emphasizes the significance of tailored instructional methods that can enhance the competence and affective self-concepts of NCS students. By implementing such approaches, students will be better equipped to integrate into diverse multilingual societies.

Psychological Profile of English Pedagogy Students: Attributional Styles, Academic Self-Concept and Self-Esteem

Psychological Profile of English Pedagogy Students: Attributional Styles, Academic Self-Concept and Self-Esteem

Parental Psychological Control and Children’s Curiosity and Academic Self-Concept

ABSTRACT Curiosity and academic self-concept are essential factors in the process of learning, and relationships with parents have been suggested to be a critical element in nurturing children’s curiosity and academic self-concept. The current study examined the contribution of parents’ psychological control (PPC) to their children’s curiosity (both interest- and deprivation-type) and academic self-concept in a sample of 159 Israeli triads of elementary school-age children, their mothers, and their fathers. The results revealed negative associations between parents’ dependency- and achievement-oriented psychological control and children’s curiosity and academic concept. Fathers reported higher levels of achievement-oriented PPC than did mothers, and mothers’ PPC negatively contributed to children’s perceived openness. Implications for the learning process, as well as suggestions for professionals working in the school system, are discussed.