| dc.description.abstract | The present research was designed to investigate the
differences between Indian and white children on; (A) the
dimensions and attributes comprising self-concept; and (B)
the developmental changes in self-concept. in this study,
71 Indian and 149 white children between the ages of 8 and
13 years were tested on three measures of self-concept; (1)
the "Twenty Statements" Test (Kuhn & McPartland, 1954); (2)
Mohr's (1978) transformation tasks; and (3) a modified
version of the Piers-Harris Children's Self-Concept Scale
(Piers, 1969), In this investigation, a distinction was
made between two aspects of self-concept; (1) figurative -
which referred to the specific dimensions and attributes
that comprise self-concept; and (2) operative - which
referred to the underlying organization and structure of
the dimensions and attributes that are influenced by
development.
In the present investigation, a number of figurative
differences were found between the self-concept of Indian
and white children on the modified version of the
Piers-Harris, and on the "Twenty Statements" Test. ‘ The
self-descriptions of Indian children contained a greater
number of references made to; independence; family ties;
emotion; sharing; and respect for traditional customs and
beliefs, than white children. In addition, Indian children
were less positive in their attitude toward formal
education than white children. Furthermore, the self-description of Indian males contained fewer
references made to possessions, while the self-descriptions
of Indian females contained a greater number of references
made to their relationship with nature.
There were a number of changes with age in the
operative aspect of self-concept. First, self-concept was
found to become less externally orientated and more
internally orientated. This trend was shown for both
Indian and white children; however, based on the results
from the transformation tasks, the progression from
external orientation to internal orientation was
developmentally delayed in Indian children. Finally, there
was an increased emphasis on group membership for males
only. | |
