Self-Concept of the American Indian - A Review of the Literature

• NCJ Number: 89352
• Author(s): J Kirby
• Date Published: 1976
• Length: 153 pages
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/; NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

There is a sparsity of literature relevant to the self-concept of American Indians, and much of the research that has been done has failed to use testing instruments whose reliability has been tested within the Indian culture and which can accurately measure the multidimensional aspects of Indian self-concept.

Abstract

Research methodology varied considerably among the studies reviewed. While some researchers considered the ethnic background of the test examiners, the cultural appropriateness of the testing instruments, and the representativeness of the sample, others did not. Some researchers recognized the multidimensional characteristic of the Indian's self-concept, which requires the use of a battery of instruments to measure it. The studies by Havinghurst and Dreyer, the most rigorous in their research methodology, suggest that the Indian self-concept is generally no lower than the self-concept of those in the dominant culture. Other studies present the more prevalent view that the Indian has a low self-concept. The most careful researchers suggest that if proper testing mechanisms were used, the Indian self-concept would prove to be high. Indians have bicultural conditioning reflective of both the Indian culture and the dominant culture, requiring that measurements of self-concept reflect the influences of both these cultures. Wherever possible, research on Indians should be conducted by Indians, particularly in the areas of test construction and administration. Further, the validity and reliability of any tests used should be established within the Indian community. The appendix contains tribal variations in self-concept. About 110 bibliographic entries are provided. (Author abstract modified)