Identification of Self-verification in the Formation of Children's Academic Self-Concept

Abstract

From a self-verification perspective, individuals strive to maintain a consistent self-concept, even if that self-concept is negative. However, most of the research has involved adults and social relationships. In contrast, this study evaluated whether self-verification was also present with children and in the formation of academic self-concept. This was done with a sample of preadolescent students with low and high reading and mathematics performance. There was support for the self-verification notion that individuals with low achievement in one academic domain reduce their self-concept in another.