Encouragement Promotes a Positive Self-Concept
By: Nora Rhoades, District Extension Director and Youth Development Agent
Regardless of one’s age, feedback received from others impacts the development and maintenance of a healthy self-concept. As a co-worker, caregiver, parent, partner, or friend it can be difficult to determine what type feedback is most beneficial.
Praise and encouragement are two types of feedback that motivate an individual. Encouragement is non-judgmental and specifically acknowledges effort and behavior as an individual works through the process of goal achievement. Encouragement allows an individual to evaluate their own efforts rather than make a comparison to others.
Praise, on the other hand, is a judgmental type of feedback that promotes comparing one’s effort and behavior to the standard of approval exhibited by others. Praise tends to have short-term results because people seek approval while encouragement enables an individual to become more self-motivated.
Let’s re-think ways to make feedback more specific and valuable to the long-term development of one’s self-concept.
General praise statements can lead to an individual feeling as if they
Encouragement is a way to provide feedback while promoting the application of such efforts to future life experiences. It also provides a foundation for helping an individual understand behaviors that were not effective in reaching a goal. Those whom you interact with will be more likely to listen to, reflect, and learn from constructive feedback if they have previously received encouragement specifically identifying what efforts and behaviors are linked to success.
Effective feedback is specific, describes what the individual is doing or has done, explains the effect of one’s behavior, and avoids comparison. Challenge yourself to use words of encouragement rather than general comments of praise. Your efforts to provide valuable feedback will assist individuals as they develop and maintain a healthy self-concept.
Building a healthy self-concept is an important part of child and adolescent development. A positive, healthy self-concept is also an essential part of maintaining life satisfaction as an adult.
Regardless of one’s age, feedback received from others impacts the development and maintenance of a healthy self-concept. As a co-worker, caregiver, parent, partner, or friend it can be difficult to determine what type feedback is most beneficial.
Praise, on the other hand, is a judgmental type of feedback that promotes comparing one’s effort and behavior to the standard of approval exhibited by others. Praise tends to have short-term results because people seek approval while encouragement enables an individual to become more self-motivated.
Let’s re-think ways to make feedback more specific and valuable to the long-term development of one’s self-concept.
- Instead of saying, “What a beautiful picture!” (praise) try “Wow! You really used a lot of colors in your picture.” (encouragement).
- Rather than exclaim, “You did great!” (praise) try “You didn’t rush when it was your turn to serve which allowed you to focus on the ball, swing level and deliver across the net.” (encouragement).
- Expand a statement like, “Good Job!” (praise) to “Good job meeting the deadline. You had a lot of responsibilities last month, and your time management allowed you to excel in many areas.” (encouragement).
- Take “You’re nice!” (praise) to the next level by explaining, “When you saw the neighbor struggling to carry groceries, you stopped what you were doing to lend a hand. She looks pretty happy to have assistance carrying the heavy load.” (encouragement).
have a ‘label’. You might observe a child or adult taking less risks or making choices to simply live up to the ‘label’ rather than engaging in new challenges.
Encouragement is a way to provide feedback while promoting the application of such efforts to future life experiences. It also provides a foundation for helping an individual understand behaviors that were not effective in reaching a goal. Those whom you interact with will be more likely to listen to, reflect, and learn from constructive feedback if they have previously received encouragement specifically identifying what efforts and behaviors are linked to success.
Effective feedback is specific, describes what the individual is doing or has done, explains the effect of one’s behavior, and avoids comparison. Challenge yourself to use words of encouragement rather than general comments of praise. Your efforts to provide valuable feedback will assist individuals as they develop and maintain a healthy self-concept.
