Self -Image Maintenance in an Educational Setting: A Perceptual Control Theory Study of Technical Training

Results indicated that participants carefully maintained their self-images. What they did and said (including performing the computer task) ultimately supported that maintenance process. However, the maintenance of the self-image was not as straightforward as expected. Unexpectedly, participants directed their behavior to the computer task, considering social disturbances to be impediments to success in the task, which they indicated was more essential to their role as a subject and hence to their self-images. Participants reframed their perceptions of the interaction around the computer task to regain justification in their self-image as good learners and research subjects. The findings suggest that instructional designers and classroom instructors should recognize the active role of the learner in the design and implementation of instructional sessions.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Education

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2015

Author dc:creator

• Thalhammer, Bryan F.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Cziko, Gary A.

• Psychology, Social

Language dc:language

eng

Identifier

(MiAaPQ)AAI9971205

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/80414