Given Rosenthal's research on the effect that labeling has on intellectual development (113-114),
do you think just being invited into an Honors Program could positively affect someone's intellectual performance in college? What if the student has the GPA and ACT scores to apply, but does not? What if a student starts the program, but chooses not to finish it? What if a student with sub-par scores is admitted into the program? Are children the only ones who are likely to be affected by labeling of this kind?
Can you think of any negative associations that might come with being labeled as an Honors student?
I definitely think the compliment of being invited into something like the Honors program could be a boost to one's confidence, whether they eventually apply or not. Just the distinction of being selected out of a group as large as applicants at a university to be a part of something that celebrates intelligence can make you raise the bar for yourself to perform better in the classroom.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure about someone with sub-par scores. I think that would depend a lot on the context of why the person was invited to join the program. What traits did they show to warrant being included if their scores didn't meet the criteria?
Matthew Parham
I believe that the effects of being invited into the honors program are very similar to the effects of the studies on expectations. If the students expected their rats to excel those rats usually did better than those that were expected to fail. The same results were shown in a classroom where the teacher was led to believe some children were more talented than others. Honors students are expected to be intelligent, hardworking, and dedicated. It is not as if we are blind to those expectations. Everyone that expects those things of us is always sure to let us know at any chance they get. I believe that the expectations that are directed towards us, from our family and friends, push us to be the best that we can be. I also believe expectations are key in who stays in the honors program throughout the years and who applies to the program. Expectations can also be very stressful at times. Some people feel more pressured than supported from the expectations of others. Pressure is hard to handle but I believe with the right balance between pressure and support one can reach any goal set before them.
ReplyDeleteMaecey McClain
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ReplyDeleteOne of the main reasons I decided to join the honors program was to keep myself motivated and intellectually on my toes so, yes, I think that the program has the potential to mold a stronger student. I've decided to use the expectations that the program places on me to make myself work harder and to make the work in question more meaningful. That being said, that is purely an individual viewpoint on the honors program. There are certainly people that aren't in the program that have better GPA's and test scores than I do, and I'm sure that there are people outside the program that are much smarter than me. The honors college just seemed like the approach that I would enjoy working with the most.
ReplyDeleteI really like John’s approach to the program. I feel like in this regard the Honors program is somewhat of a double edged sword. One the one hand, as the book suggested, the children who are labeled as "gifted" tend to excel. I agree with this. I think that the encouragement and self-confidence that is associated with such a title can take a student further than one who hasn't been told they were smart and special. On the other hand, if you have always been the "smartest kid" in class, it can be somewhat of a blow to your confidence when you are thrown into the mix with other students who are your intellectual equal if not smarter than you. I think this is why some choose not to finish. Also, the added stress of the work load can make some realize that they have never been truly challenged before. So, in short, I think being accepted into the program can at positively affects students because it reaffirms that they are different (in a good way) while also humbling students and helping them to grow as a person and acquire new learning techniques.
ReplyDeleteAnna Talkington