Perceptions of Ability Rebecca Jedel, PhD

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Perceptions of AbilityRebecca Jedel, PhD
ChAD 169
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Perceptions of Ability

• ability stable entity
• comes along with the person
• little can be done to alter capacities
• achievement how much has been mastered
• relies on effort
• highly variable
• constrained only by upper limits of abilities

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Perceptions of Ability

• highly subjective
• by student
• by teacher
• by parent
• by community
• ?? are we truly limited at birth ??
• significant implications if this is true
• significant implications if this is not true

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Covingtons Self Worth Theory

• we all strive to maintain a sense of self-worth
• how does this show itself with our profiled
  students?
• Helpless Hannah
• Alienated Al
• Anxious Alma
• Safe Sally

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Self-Handicapping

• minimum participation
• false effort
• procrastination
• overstriving

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Stereotype Threat

• when students worry that they may confirm a
  negative stereotype about their race
• this vulnerability leads to performance
  decrements
• why?
• anxiety doesnt fully answer the question

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Variables Related to Stereotype Threat

• Jessi Smith (2004)
• These variables do not adequately explain
  performance decrements
• poor effort
• self-handicapping
• anxiety
• evaluation apprehension
• performance confidence
• stereotype endorsement
• perceptions of test as biased
• feelings about the self

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Stereotyped Task Engagement Process Model
Smith, J. L. (2004). Understanding the process
of stereotype threat A review of mediational
variables and new performance goal directions.
Educational Psychology Review, 16(3), 177-206.
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