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Adolescents' hero identification and self-perception
M A Graham1, J Border, G DeCaluwe
1Mount Mercy College, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52402, USA. melody@mmc.mtmercy.edu
Perceptual and Motor Skills
|November 6, 2001
Summary
Having a hero is linked to better social skills and self-esteem in teens. However, it may be associated with lower academic confidence, suggesting a complex relationship between role models and adolescent self-perception.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Adolescent Development
- Social Psychology
Background:
- Adolescence is a critical period for self-concept formation.
- Identifying with heroes can influence an adolescent's developing identity.
- Previous research has not fully explored the link between having a hero and specific self-concept domains.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between having a hero and various aspects of self-concept in high school students.
- To determine if identifying with a hero is associated with higher or lower perceived competence in different life domains.
Main Methods:
- A sample of 168 high school students participated in the study.
- Participants completed Harter's Self-perception Profile to assess self-concept.
- Students also answered questions regarding their heroes.
Main Results:
- Having a hero was positively associated with perceived social acceptance.
- Identifying with a hero correlated with stronger feelings of romantic appeal.
- A hero was linked to a greater sense of athletic competence.
- Conversely, having a hero was associated with a weaker sense of scholastic competence.
Conclusions:
- The presence of a hero in an adolescent's life is related to specific strengths in self-concept, particularly in social and physical domains.
- The findings suggest a nuanced impact of role models, potentially highlighting a trade-off between certain self-perceptions.
- Further research should explore the mechanisms behind these associations in adolescent psychology.