Date of Conferral

2016

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Psychology

Advisor

Tracy Masiello

Abstract

Sufficient research exists indicating that the brain mechanisms involved with use of whole brain teaching (WBT) techniques will likely lead to improved academic achievement and that academic self-concept (ASC) is both a cause and consequence of academic achievement. However, it is not known if there is a relationship between WBT and ASC. Given the benefits derived from positive ASC, it becomes important to assess WBT as a predictor variable of positive ASC. The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine the relationship between different levels of exposure to WBT techniques and the mean difference in ASC, as measured by the general-school, mathematics, and reading subscores on the Self Description Questionnaire I, between treatment conditions. Self-concept theory as posited by Shavelson et al. and the Marsh/Shavelson revision, the skill development approach to self-concept enhancement, and the reciprocal effect model provide the theoretical foundations of this dissertation. A one-way multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was used to determine if the mean ASC scores differed among 191 second and third grade students exposed to three levels of the WBT factor. Results of the three-group MANOVA failed to support use of WBT techniques to improve ASC. Reconfiguration of the quasi-independent variable into two groups revealed that general-school ASC scores were significantly lower in the group exposed to limited to no WBT techniques. Assessing students at risk for educational problems may reveal more convincing evidence for WBT as an effective ASC intervention. The implications for social change include encouraging WBT practitioners to make more empirically sound claims and decisions regarding their practice, thereby allowing students an educational experience grounded in scientific findings, rather than subjective assumptions.

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