11/21: Chapter 3 LGQ

Understand—How is self-efficacy related to self-esteem and self-concept?

Self-esteem is a set of judgments and feelings about one’s value or worth,  while self-concept is one’s assessment of one’s general strengths and weaknesses (Ormrod 68). Both concepts are related to one’s sense of self, that is, one’s beliefs and perceptions about oneself as an individual. The take home from these two concepts is that they are very general and relate to a broad perception of oneself. Self-efficacy is the extent to which one believes one is capable of completing certain tasks and reaching specific goals (Ormrod 68). It is more content and subject specific than self-esteem and self-concept and involves more judgment, rather than feeling (Ormrod 335). For example, a student could have a low self-esteem and low self-worth while having a high self-efficacy in completing crossword puzzles.

Create—On pages 72-73 are Erikson’s states of psychosocial development. Can you write a fictional scenario about someone in one of these stages?

Identify vs. role confusion--Walter is just beginning his junior year in high school and is overwhelmed with everything on his plate. In addition to taking AP classes, he plays lacrosse and is volunteering at a doctor’s office. On top of all of this, everyone he seems to talk to harps on the importance of figuring out a college major or potential career choice before his senior year. Because he does so well in math and science classes, many teachers and Walter’s parents encourage him to become a doctor. Overwhelmed with class and the barrage of questions and suggestions, Walter begins to feel anxiety over his future and resolves to decide on his future career by winter break. Over the semester, he gets involved in numerous activities.

He goes to school board meetings to learn about challenges faced by teachers. He joins a young democrat group to get acquainted with politics. He volunteers at a local museum to try his hand at history. He volunteers at a nearby bank to get experience with accounting. He goes on a ride-along with a police officer to learn about law, punishment, and civil duty.  He submits an original essay to a creative writing contest. Finally, he continues volunteering at the doctor’s office. After all of these experiences, Walter realizes he wants to pursue a career that involves creativity and benefits others. He realizes he is slowly drifting away from pursuing a scientific career path and toward a career, possibly teaching, in the humanities.