Sage Journals: Discover world-class research

Abstract

The phenomenal and nonphenomenal self-concepts of 120 handicapped students (emotionally disturbed, educable mentally retarded, learning disabled, speech/language impaired) were compared to those of 30 nonhandicapped students. The Piers-Harris Children's Self-Concept Scale, a self-reporting instrument, was used to assess phenomenal (conscious) attitudes toward the self. The Human Figure Drawing Test, a projective measure, was administered to assess nonphenomenal (unconscious) attitudes regarding the self. The results indicated that handicapped students had significantly more negative phenomenal and nonphenomenal self-concepts; higher anxiety levels; more negative perceptions of their intellectual abilities, school status, and popularity; and more emotional feelings of insecurity, inadequacy, guilt, impulsivity, and immaturity than nonhandicapped students.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Arieti, S. (1970). The world biennial of psychology and psychotherapy (Vol. 1). New York: Basic Books.

Battle, J. (1981, May). Enhancing self-esteem: A new challenge to teachers. Academic Therapy, 16(5), 541–550.

Bentler, P. M. (1972). The Piers-Harris children's self-concept scale. In O. K. Buros (Ed.), The seventh mental measurement yearbook. New York: Gryphon Press.

Brookover, W. , LePere, J. , Hamachek, D. , Thomas, S. , & Erickson, E. (1965). Self-concept of ability and school achievement II. East Lansing: Michigan State University.

Chapman, J. , & Boersma, F. (1979, April). Academic self-concept in elementary learning disabled children: A study with the Student's Perception of Ability Scale. Psychology in the Schools, 16(2), 201–206.

Davis, E. , Dokecki, P. , Coleman, J. , Smith, M. , & Wood, L. (1975, January). The pass model project: Development, evaluation, and dissemination of a service delivery system for learning disabilities. Paper presented at the International Federation on Learning Disabilities Meetings, Brussels, Belgium.

Fitts, W. (1972). The self-concept and behavior: Overview and supplement monograph, 7. Nashville, TN: Counselor Recordings and Tests.

Frith, G. (1973). A study of secondary educable programs in Alabama. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, University of Alabama, University.

Johnson, W. , Brown, S. , Curtis, J. , Edney, C. , & Keaster, J. (1967). Speech handicapped school children. New York: Harper & Row.

10.

Kansas Department of Education. (1981). Kansas state plan for special education. Topeka: Author.

11.

Koppitz, E. M. (1968). Psychological evaluation of children's human figure drawings. New York: Grune & Stratton.

12.

LaBenne, W. D. , & Greene, B. J. (1969). Educational implications of self-concept theory. Pacific Palisades, CA: Goodyear.

13.

Levitt, E. E. (1967). The psychology of anxiety. New York: Harper & Row.

14.

Peckham, C. S. (1973). Speech defects in a national sample of children aged seven years. British Journal of Disorders of Communication, 8, 2–8.

15.

Piers, E. V. (1977). The Piers-Harris Children's Self-Concept Scale research monograph, 1. Nashville, TN: Counselor Recordings and Tests.

16.

Politino, V. (1980, February). Attitude toward physical activity and self-concept of normal and emotionally disturbed children. Dissertation Abstracts International, 40(8A), 4476.

17.

Purkey, W. (1970). Self-concept and school achievement. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.

18.

Robinson, H. B. , & Robinson, N. M. (1976). The mentally retarded child: A psychological approach. New York: McGraw-Hill.

19.

Stangvik, G. (1979). Self-concept and school segregation. Goteborg, Sweden: ACTA UNIVERSITATIS GOTHOBURGENSIS.

20.

Ward, S. , & Brown, J. (1972). Self-esteem and racial preference in black children. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 42, 644–647.

21.

Wood, F. , & Johnson, A. (1972). Coopersmith self-esteem inventory scores for boys with severe behavior problems,. Exceptional Children, 38, 739.

Analysis of the Self-Concepts of Handicapped Students

Abstract

Get full access to this article

References