Self-Perception:
Conformity vs. Non-Comformity
Identity beliefs about
Acculturation, Assimilation & Bi-Culturalism
Perception is Powerful
When it comes down to it, our individual self-perception plays a powerful role in academic success
Example: Veronica Espinoza saw herself in ways that helped her move past difficulties with family or how others saw her
Self-Perception: Conformity vs. Non-Conformity TOP
Are you a conformist or non-conformist?
What does it depend on?
What would it take for you to step back from the powers that be and say I’m not doing it!
Studies on Conformity
Studies have shown that people tend to go with the group, to conform to the norm in order to be accepted or survive. In situations like WWII in Nazi, Germany, this meant sending people to their deaths, even though soldiers knew it was not right.
Bolima’s Study TOP
Bolima began her interest in education on an Alaskan Island where she lived in a Tlingit village of 600
She became fascinated with how differences in cultural perspective could create problems between non-native teachers and native students.
Studies on Academic Success
At the UW, Bolima did a study to determine what aspects affected student academic success.
This was a study done with high school students
Findings: Self-Perception TOP
Self-perceptions were one important aspect
Especially ideas about conformity and non-conformity
Students who resisted molding or changing themselves to fit in, had worse grades
Student Categories TOP
Students beliefs fit into one or more of the following categories:
Acculturationists: When two or more cultural worlds merge to create an identity and are valued equally
Assimilationists: When one culture is valued more and given up totally to fit into another
Bi-Culturalists: When two different cultures are absorbed, but remain separate from one another and may or may not be valued equally
Categories of Beliefs TOP
Non-conformists – Acculturationists:
The System needs to meet me half way and it’s screwed up
Semi Non-conformists -- Acculturationists/Assimilators: The system is right, but so am I!
Semi Conformists –Assimilators: The system is right and I’m screwed up because I can’t succeed
Conformists –Assimilators/Bi-culturalists: The system is only a tool and I’m okay no matter what
In Essence TOP
This study shows teacher approach makes a difference, and so does student self-perceptions.
Basically, the system rewards conformity/assimilation even though it may mean giving up your identity
The American system enforces mindless uniformity to a given norm, not necessarily individuality as we are all taught!
Those who refuse…. TOP
Our Master students: Veronica, Malcom X & Helen Keller, defied the norm for self-preservation. They were non-conformists for a reason. The system did not support them, so they supported themselves or found support in what ever ways they could.
Group Discussion:
In what ways did Helen Keller’s perceptions relate to her success as an individual or scholar?
Discuss your own conformity and self-esteem beliefs (acculturalist, assimilationist, bi-culturalist) according to the types. How do you think your type may have helped or limited you in the past? Do the study results show that being a non-conformist is bad? Or what does it say exactly?