Culture, epistemology, and academic studying

Date

2005-06-02T15:04:40Z

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Kansas State University

Abstract

This study explored the implications of cultural conceptions of the self (independent vs. interdependent) for epistemological beliefs, ways of knowing, and academic studying. Community college students (N = 340) were recruited from two community colleges in the Midwestern United States and one predominantly Hispanic community college in the Southwestern United States. Students completed a number of paper-and-pencil instruments, including measures of epistemological beliefs, self-construal, ways of knowing, and approaches to studying. As predicted, significant correlations were found between interdependent self-construal and omniscient authority, and also between interdependent self-construal and connected knowing. Although no effects were found for ethnicity on epistemological beliefs and ways of knowing, acculturation appears to be an important influence on ways of knowing. A path analysis indicated that acculturation exhibited both a direct and indirect effect on connected knowing. The indirect effect on connected knowing was through interdependent self-construal. Students who were less acculturated (i.e. more likely to speak English as a second language or to be born in another country) were more likely to endorse an interdependent self-construal, and consequently more likely to endorse connected knowing. These results suggest that conceptions of the self may be important influences on personal epistemology.

Description

Keywords

Educational psychology, Epistemological beliefs, Ways of knowing, Culture, Education, Educational Psychology (0525)

Graduation Month

August

Degree

Doctor of Education

Department

Department of Counseling and Educational Psychology

Major Professor

Stephen Benton

Date

2005

Type

Dissertation

Citation