Premium
Photographic enhancement of children's self‐esteem
Author(s) -
Ammerman Mary S.,
Fryrear Jerry L.
Publication year - 1975
Publication title -
psychology in the schools
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.738
H-Index - 75
eISSN - 1520-6807
pISSN - 0033-3085
DOI - 10.1002/1520-6807(197507)12:3<319::aid-pits2310120315>3.0.co;2-x
Subject(s) - self esteem , psychology , photography , developmental psychology , social psychology , clinical psychology , visual arts , art
The purpose of the present study was to enhance children's self‐esteem through a five week self‐photography project which provided each child in the experimental group with 60 pictures of himself in different poses. Control group subjects were provided with self‐photographs at the end of the project. Fourth grade children were selected for both low subjective self‐esteem and low behavioral self‐esteem using the Coopersmith Self‐Esteem Inventory and Behavior Rating Form. After five weeks of photography sessions, the Self‐Esteem Inventory and Behavior Rating Forms were re‐administered and pre‐and posttest results were compared. The experimental procedure resulted in a significant increase in behavioral self‐esteem for the experimental group, but no change in subjective self‐esteem. Results were discussed in terms of Cooper‐smith's theory of genuine vs. defensive self‐esteem, with the speculation that the change in behavioral self‐esteem reflected an increase in genuine self‐esteem.