The Eighth International Literacy & Education Research Network Conference on

SPETSES, GREECE
4-8 July 2001

Dr Marion Porath
Professor, Faculty of Education, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada

Dr Judy Lupart
Professor The University of Calgary, Canada

Dr Lorraine Wilgosh
Professor, The University of Alberta, Canada

Shaping Personal Identity: The Roles of Gender, Competence, and Social Context

Abstract

Summaries of three research projects on gender differences in competence, achievement, and social images and stereotypes that influence development will be presented in this workshop. The projects cover early childhood to early adulthood. Interpersonal understanding in 4- and 5-year-olds is considered as important to include in definitions of competence, and the nature of this understanding in the school context will be presented. Second, the personal and educational factors that contribute to secondary students' participation and achievement in science and to life-role and career choices will be presented. The third paper will focus on societal images of gender that influence images of competence and personal and career development. The combined findings of our research will be discussed in terms of critical research and pedagogical issues involving the definition and nurturance of competence across developmental periods, the influence of gender in realizing competence, and the implications of these issues for adult development.

Bionote

All presenters are professors in departments of Educational Psychology in western Canadian universities. Each is pursuing research related to the definitions of competence and the influences on the realization of potential.

Presentation Type
60 min. workshop

Presentation Equipment Requirements
OHP

Speaking Date/Time Restrictions

Country
Australia