Age and Gender Differences in Children's Self- and Task Perceptions during Elementary School |
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| Authors: | Jacquelynne Eccles Allan Wigfield Rena D Harold Phyllis Blumenfeld |
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| Institution: | University of Colorado and University of Michigan;University of Maryland;School of Social Work, Michigan State University;School of Education, University of Michigan |
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| Abstract: | We examined the development of children's self- and task perceptions during the elementary school years. 865 first-, second-, and fourth-grade children (ages 7–10) completed questionnaires assessing their perceptions of competence in, and valuing of, activities in several activity domains (math, reading, sports, and instrumental music). Factor analyses showed that even the first graders had differentiated self-beliefs for the various activities. These analyses also indicated that children's competence beliefs and subjective task values formed distinct factors. Analyses assessing age and gender differences in children's beliefs showed that for all the activities except sports, younger children's (particularly the first graders) perceptions of competence and subjective task values were more positive than the beliefs of the older children. Boys had more positive competence beliefs and values than did girls for sport activities, and more positive competence beliefs for mathematics. Girls had more positive competence beliefs and values than did boys for reading and music activities. |
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