Well, I think the core message that the article tries to convey is wrong, because they tested for the wrong things and didn't control for the right things. They narrowed down self esteem to a tiny sliver of a much more complex machine that it really is and then draws conclusions based on those shallow arguments. For instance, the test they talk about isn't about praise. Not really. It's about rewards.
When the kids do the puzzles, one group of kids is praised for effort and one for being smart. What this comes down to is that the kids being praised for effort take on challenges which provide additional effort to be praised on. The thinking goes, the harder the puzzle is, the more praised they will be. However, the kids being praised for being smart are only getting the reward for successful completion. That is, they won't get the reward if they fail. So they pick the easier puzzles because their goal is dependant on successful completion. They won't get the praise if they fail, while the other kids will get praised no matter what happens. They have nothing to lose.
So, deep down, the question isn't about telling the kids they are smart or not. That's irrelevant to what the test was actually testing. It's about the rewards given and for what. If anything, this simple test is actually counter to the arguments against high self esteem later in the article. It says that conditional praise is LESS effective than unconditional praise.
hauled this off a web comic i read
whats peoples views?
Lievaordiea x Eldritch
Peonchants x Enchanter
Hibernia
It makes sense to me.
All that children want to hear is that they are loved. They want their parents or guardians to show them affection. That's all that matters. Lack of affection has deep down psychological effects. Rather than being praised for academic success, children just need to be shown love nomatter how intelligent they appear (or do not appear) to be. Those who have high intelligence, but do not have affection are probably psychologically worse off than those who some would class as being below average intelligence, but who have the unconditional love and praise of their parents. The "heart" is more important than the brain!
Gandelf wrote:It makes sense to me.
All that children want to hear is that they are loved. They want their parents or guardians to show them affection. That's all that matters. Lack of affection has deep down psychological effects. Rather than being praised for academic success, children just need to be shown love nomatter how intelligent they appear (or do not appear) to be. Those who have high intelligence, but do not have affection are probably psychologically worse off than those who some would class as being below average intelligence, but who have the unconditional love and praise of their parents. The "heart" is more important than the brain!
I don't care!
Mid Excalibur
Hib Pryd
Alb Stonehenge (I was there before teh cluster and gimps going from excal pryd cluster due to QQ - Noobs! )
Alb Camlann
.........far too many 50's to mention and no bb - hardcore gaming for a hardcore peep
