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Psychologist warns improper praise can harm child self-esteem
Psychologist Jette Blaschke warns that certain types of praise can have negative long-term consequences for a child's self-esteem. Specifically, praising a child for who they are (such as being 'smart') rather than for their specific actions or efforts can leave lasting imprints on their highly malleable brains.
Blaschke notes that evaluations, criticisms, and punishments are anchored directly in emotional memory, shaping how children view themselves. This perspective is supported by psychological research dating back to the 1990s.
A 1998 study by US researchers Claudia Mueller and Carol Dweck demonstrated that fifth-graders praised for their intelligence were more likely to choose easier tasks, gave up more quickly on difficult challenges, and experienced less joy in problem-solving compared to those praised for their effort. Further long-term research by Elizabeth Gunderson in 2013 corroborated these findings regarding the impact of different praise styles during early childhood.
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Carol Dweck · Claudia Mueller · Elizabeth Gunderson · Jette Blaschke
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- [● 3 SOURCES] Psychologist Jette Blaschke warns that praising a child's inherent traits rather than their actions can negatively impact long-term self-esteem. www.leinetal24.de · www.kreiszeitung.de · www.mannheim24.de
- [● 3 SOURCES] A 2013 long-term observation by Elizabeth Gunderson and colleagues supported the finding that different types of praise in early childhood affect development. www.leinetal24.de · www.kreiszeitung.de · www.mannheim24.de
- [● 3 SOURCES] A 1998 study by researchers Claudia Mueller and Carol Dweck found that fifth-graders praised for intelligence tended to choose easier tasks and gave up more quickly on difficult ones compared to those www.leinetal24.de · www.kreiszeitung.de · www.mannheim24.de