What is intellectual confidence?Intellectual confidence (also known as �academic self-concept�) is the child�s self-belief that s/he has the capacity to succeed academically - the child�s self-evaluation of their own academic worth or capability. It is not static and can be improved with appropriate programmes.
Why is intellectual confidence important?In the 1970s Albert Bandura (1) established the notion of �self-concept� and suggested that it was likely to impact on educational achievement. Since then a research community, led by Professor Herb Marsh, currently leading the field of research at the University of Oxford, has established methods by which intellectual confidence can be measured. Their research has concluded that it is a significant predictor of academic achievement (2).
What is the impact of raising a child�s intellectual confidence?Contemporary research into �self-efficacy� has determined that there are causal links between intellectual confidence and a range of factors which influence a child�s potential to succeed. For instance:
- Studies such as that by Prat-Sala and Redford (2010) have discovered that raising intellectual confidence increases a child�s motivation, level of effort and persistence in the face of obstacles.
- A significant number of studies (3) have established that intellectual confidence is strongly related to educational aspirations.
- Professor Herb Marsh and his colleagues, in a series of research studies (4), have established that there is a reciprocal effect between a child�s self-concept and their educational outcomes, such that intellectual confidence is both a cause and a consequence of academic achievement. Thus a programme which raises intellectual confidence impacts upon the child�s achievement, which in turn raises their intellectual confidence.
- Recent research has found that intellectual confidence has a significant impact upon career prospects (5).
Key findings: A programme which increases intellectual confidence can have a significant impact on a child�s motivation, aspirations, academic achievement and career prospects.1. Bandura, A. (1977)
2. Marsh, H. W., & O�Mara, A. (2008)
3. Rosenberg, 1965; Henderson & Dweck, 1990; Kaplan & Midgley, 1997; Dweck & Leggett, 1988; Houston & Andreopoulou, 2003
4. Marsh, 1990a, 1990b, 1993, 2007; Marsh & Craven, 1997, 2006; Marsh et al., 2005.
5. Yuen, M. et al. (2010).
Increasing Intellectual Confidence
