Self-concept in early childhood

There is a revolution sweeping psychology, one that emphasises positive psychology and focuses on how healthy, normal, and exceptional individuals can get the most from life. Consistent with this emphasis, a positive self-concept and its enhancement is valued as a desirable outcome in many disciplines of psychology, as well as in a broad array of other social science disciplines. There has been a substantial improvement in the quality of self-concept research with older students over the last 30 years, however, despite these considerable advances there has been only limited progress with young children aged 5 to 8 years.

This is unfortunate, as this transitional period between early and middle childhood in which many major developmental milestones are achieved may be crucial in the formation of a positive self-concept that is related to the attainment of many other valued outcomes. This research attempts to address this limitation by conducting four interrelated studies that extend on the major developments in self-concept research found with older age groups, to research with young children aged 5 to 8 years.

Researchers

Professor Herb Marsh and Professor Adel Salah Abduljabbar 

Start date

01 December 2012

End date

31 December 2015

Funding body

King Saud University of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia