Week 7: Learner development, learning climate and self-regulation of learning

6:15 min

https://youtu.be/0poeRkHk6Fg

Reflection:

How I see myself progressing through the different developmental stages and vectors.

Question 1: How does Chickering’s Theory of Student development connect with Erikson’s Psychosocial Theory of development?

Concept Map: (Banks, 2011; Evans, 2010; Miller, 1983)

Stereotype threat: How it affected me.

Why I chose to go to an all-women’s college for my undergraduate degree: dealing with stereotypes about being female and having a learning disability in college.

• Being slow at learning
• Not as good at math or science
• Need to choose between having a family or a career

Question 2: What does research say about the effects of going to a women’s only college?

Pros

• More focused on academics
• More comfortable expressing themselves
• Take on non-stereotypical leadership roles

Cons

• Does not prepare students for interacting with both genders in real life
• Can reinforce gender bias or promote gender ignorance

Research suggests students who attend women only colleges have stronger connections with faculty that support achievement and career goals, and with peers that support academic work. It does not necessarily change women’s gender role ideas or attitudes, ie being more liberal (Miller-Bernal, 1989).

My conclusion:

Going to a women’s college can reinforce self-esteem and give room for a female to explore certain aspects of academia that might be hindered by stereotype threat. For me going to an women’s college was a crucial step in my social identity development.

References:

Banks, R. (2011) Standard 2: Student Development. Retrieved from http://rbanks.pbworks.com/w/page/4904478/STANDARD%202%3A%20STUDENT%20DEVELOPMENT

Evens, N. (2010) Psychosocial and Cognitive-Structural Perspectives on Student Development. In J. Schuh, S. Jones, S. Harper (Eds.), Student Services: A Handbook for the Profession (pp. 181-201) Retrieved from http://www.eblib.com

Miller-Bernal, L. (1989) College Experiences and Sex-Role Attitudes: "Does a Women's College Make a Difference"? Youth and Society, 20(4), 363-387. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/1295948543?accountid=14613

Miller, P. H. (1983). Theories of developmental psychology (A Series of books in psychology; Series of books in psychology). San Francisco: W.H. Freeman.