DOI
10.1521/jscp.2007.26.4.447
Abstract
Theory and prior research suggest that (a) a positive sense of self–worth and (b) perceived control over one’s outcomes facilitate constructive responses to negative outcomes. We therefore predicted that encouraging students to maintain their sense of self–worth and/or construe their academic outcomes as controllable would promote achievement. In a field experiment, low–performing students in a psychology class were randomly assigned to receive, each week, review questions, review questions plus self–esteem bolstering, or review questions plus exhortations to assume responsibility and control. Contrary to predictions, the D and F students got worse as a result of self–esteem bolstering and students in the other conditions did not change. These findings raise ethical and practical questions about the widespread practice of bolstering self–esteem in the hope of improving academic performance.
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2007
Publisher Statement
Copyright © 2007 Guilford Press. This article first appeared in Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology 26:4 (2007), 447-459.
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Recommended Citation
Forsyth, Donelson R., Natalie K. Lawrence, Jeni L. Burnette, and Roy F. Baumeister. "Attempting to Improve the Academic Performance of Struggling College Students by Bolstering Their Self–Esteem: An Intervention That Backfired." Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology 26, no. 4 (2007): 447-59. doi:10.1521/jscp.2007.26.4.447.