The superhero in me: Connectivity between the dual identities of inner superhero and outer alter-ego

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 267-287
Author(s):  
Helen Buck-Pavlick
Keyword(s):  
Middle School ◽  
Body Image ◽  
Movement Analysis ◽  
Self Control ◽  
Early Adolescent ◽  
Dance Class ◽  
Adolescent Students ◽  
Self Confidence ◽  
Dual Identities ◽  
Alter Ego

In this article, the author shares their processes and reflections from a somatic and pedagogical research project conducted at a Title I middle school in Tempe, Arizona. The project, ‘The superhero in me: Connectivity between the dual identities of inner superhero and outer alter-ego’ explores the duality, perceived dualism and duel-ism of the embodied middle school experience through the lens of superheroes and alter-egos. The research served several purposes: (1) exploration into how to communicate Laban Movement Analysis and Bartenieff Fundamentals along with key somatic concepts, such as self-awareness, self-control and autonomy to early adolescent learners in a way that is accessible and relatable, (2) facilitating an embodied understanding of the dualism between personal inner and outer identities, expressivity, attitudes and tendencies, with the aim of helping early adolescent students improve navigation of the challenging contexts they encounter (such as conflicting self and social identities, vulnerabilities, insider/outsider feelings, body image, self-confidence and the desire to be both unique and to fit in), (3) providing an opportunity for adolescent students to explore perceptions of inner and outer identities and the duel between these identities as carried within their own bodies and (4) creating an opportunity for students to collaboratively generate choreography. The dance classroom community chosen for this project had prior experience in dance within the school’s existing programme, specific learning challenges and opportunities for somatic knowledge development. Preliminary research and classroom observations unveiled thematic concepts (such as body image issues, low self-confidence and conflicting perceptions of self-identity) which informed teaching strategies, curriculum and subject matter. The framework of the curriculum considered critical theories of development, somatic practice, philosophy and collaborative inquiry. Questions that inspired the research included: how do early adolescent students construct understanding of their individual identities and experiences in a meaningful somatic way? How do we create lessons that integrate somatic exploration, social emotional learning and choreographic practice into early adolescent dance class? What is it about the adolescent experience that makes superheroes so compelling? What do superheroes tell us about ourselves?

scholarly journals Body Image, Confidence, And Media Influence: A Study Of Middle School Adolescents

2012 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 45 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel Granatino ◽  
Diana L. Haytko
Keyword(s):  
Middle School ◽  
Body Image ◽  
Media Influence ◽  
Adolescent Boys ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Hispanic Females ◽  
Black Females ◽  
Self Confidence ◽  
The Ideal

For years, we have all been aware of the medias portrayal of the ideal female as unreasonably thin. In recent years, portrayals of males as both thin and muscular have also appeared. While a myriad of research has shown that these images have negative effects on womens body image and self-confidence, few studies have examined what these images do to younger consumers, both female and male. This study examines these issues and also looks at the differences in influence by race. The results show that Hispanic females are the most likely to be influenced, followed by White females. Black females reported no influence. With respect to adolescent boys, only a few reported any influence at all.

scholarly journals Imagen corporal y práctica de actividades físico-deportivas en estudiantes de nivel secundaria

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 252-260
Author(s):  
Oswaldo Ceballos ◽  
Rosa Elena Medina Rodríguez ◽  
José Luis Juvera Portilla ◽  
Patricia Peche Alejandro ◽  
Luis Fernando Aguirre López ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Middle School ◽  
Body Image ◽  
Body Shape ◽  
The Body ◽  
Average Weight ◽  
Response Scale ◽  
School Students ◽  
Adolescent Students ◽  
Sport Activities ◽  
Las Mujeres

El objetivo del estudio es valorar la imagen corporal, la práctica de actividades físico-deportivas y la percepción de la salud en escolares adolescentes de educación secundaria. Se presenta un diseño de estudio de tipo no experimental, descriptivo, comparativo y correlacional. La población objeto de estudio es una muestra de 416 estudiantes de educación secundaria de la ciudad de San Nicolás de los Garza, N. L. México seleccionados mediante un muestreo aleatorio y estratificado por género y grado escolar, con una edad entre 12 y 15 años (13,14 ± 0,87), de los cuales 216 son hombres y 200 mujeres, con un peso promedio de 53,63 ± 10,33 kg, una estatura de 1,59 ± 8,44 m y un IMC de 21 ± 3,03. Se utilizó el cuestionario Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ-8A), con 8 ítems y una escala de respuesta de 1 a 6 (donde 1 es nunca y 6 siempre), agrupados en puntos de corte sobre la procupación de la imagen corporal: < 19 ninguna, 19-25 leve, 26-33 moderada, > 33 marcada. El instrumento cuenta con buenas propiedades psicométricas. Para el análisis de los datos se utilizó el programa estadístico SPSS v24 y LISREL. En general los estudiantes adolescentes mexicanos tienen una preocupación importante de su imagen corporal, especialmente en las mujeres y los que perciben una mala salud, y esta no es determinante de la práctica de actividades físico-deportivas. The aim of the study is to value body image, the practice of physical-sport activities, and the perception of the health in school age adolescents in middle school. A non-experimental, descriptive, comparative and correlational study design is presented. The subject population of the study is a sample of 416 middle school students from the city San Nicolas de los Garza, N. L. Mexico selected by random sampling and stratified by gender and grade level, with an age between 12 and 15 years (13,14 ± 0,87), of which 216 are male and 200 are female; with an average weight of 53,63 ± 10,33 kg, a height of 1,59 ± 8,44 m and a BMI of 21 ± 3,03. The questionnaire Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ-8A) was used, with 8 items and a response scale of 1 to 6 (where 1 is never and 6 is always), grouped in cut off points based on the concern of the body image: < 19 never, 19-25 slight, 26-33 moderate, >33 marked. The instrument has good psychometric properties. The statistical program SPSS v24 and LISREL were used for the analysis of the data. In general, Mexican adolescent students have an important concern for their body image, especially in women and those who perceive poor health, people who have a higher practice of physical-sports activities show a positive attitude towards their own body. O objetivo do estudo é avaliar a imagem corporal, a prática de atividades físico-desportivas e a percepção de saúde em alunos adolescentes do ensino médio. Apresenta-se um desenho de estudo não experimental, descritivo, comparativo e correlacional. A população alvo é uma amostra de 416 estudantes do ensino médio da cidade de San Nicolás de los Garza, N. L. México, selecionado por amostragem aleatória e estratificado por gênero e série escolar, com idade entre 12 e 15 anos (13,14 ± 0,87), dos quais 216 são homens e 200 mulheres, com peso médio de 53,63 ± 10,33 kg, altura de 1,59 ± 8,44 m e IMC de 21 ± 3,03. Foi utilizado o Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ-8A), com 8 itens e uma escala de resposta de 1 a 6 (onde 1 nunca é e 6 sempre), agrupados em pontos de corte na preocupação com a imagem corporal: < 19 nenhum, 19-25 leve, 26-33 moderado, > 33 marcado. O instrumento tem boas propriedades psicométricas. O programa estatístico SPSS v24 e LISREL foram utilizados para a análise dos dados. Em geral, os estudantes adolescentes mexicanos têm uma preocupação importante com a sua imagem corporal, especialmente nas mulheres e naqueles que percebem a falta de saúde, e isso não é determinante para a prática de atividades físico-desportivas.

The Contributions of Interoceptive Awareness to Cognitive and Affective Facets of Body Experience

2015 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 110-118 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefan Duschek ◽  
Natalie S. Werner ◽  
Gustavo A. Reyes del Paso ◽  
Rainer Schandry
Keyword(s):  
Body Image ◽  
Emotional State ◽  
The Body ◽  
Self Control ◽  
Interoceptive Awareness ◽  
Body Experience ◽  
Interindividual Differences ◽  
Self Confidence ◽  
Emotional Aspects ◽  
The Impact

Experience of one’s own body relies on signals arising within the body as well as on exteroceptive information, and on appraisal of cognitive and affective aspects of these signals. The present study investigated the impact of sensitivity to internal signals, that is, interoceptive awareness, on interindividual differences in cognitive and emotional aspects of body experience. Subjects with accurate (n = 30) versus poor (n = 30) interoceptive awareness, classified via a heartbeat perception task, completed the Body Consciousness Questionnaire and the Body Appraisal Inventory. Possible effects of emotional state on body experience were controlled for using measures of mood and anxiety. While the groups did not differ in their emotional state, individuals with accurate cardiac interoceptive awareness exhibited higher subjective sensitivity to bodily sensations and a more positive body image, characterized by stronger body-related self-confidence, greater satisfaction with physical appearance, greater perceived bodily self-control, as well as reduced hypochondriacal concerns, sexual discontent, and shame. The present findings extend earlier research on the importance of perception of physical cues for emotion, cognition, and behavior regulation. Our results underline the contribution of interoceptive information to body experience, where interindividual differences in the accessibility of such information modulate cognitive and affective facets of body image.

Adolescent Students Who Stutter: A Qualitative Exploration of School Experiences

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (6) ◽  
pp. 1327-1336
Author(s):  
Tiffany R. Cobb ◽  
Derek E. Daniels ◽  
James Panico
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
Middle School ◽  
Peer Relationships ◽  
Speech Therapy ◽  
School Setting ◽  
Image Data ◽  
School Experiences ◽  
Adolescent Students ◽  
Therapy Decision ◽  
Qualitative Phenomenological

Purpose The purpose of this study was to explore the ways in which adolescent students who stutter perceive their school experiences. Method This study used a qualitative, phenomenological research design. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 7 adolescent students who stutter (3 in middle school and 4 in high school). Participants were interviewed about their school experiences, including the effects of stuttering on academics, learning, teacher relationships, peer relationships, speech therapy experiences, and self-image. Data analysis consisted of transcribing interviews and analyzing them for emerging themes. Results Findings revealed that participants described a variety of experiences around the school setting. Participants reported less favorable middle school experiences. Middle school participants reflected more on teasing, bullying, and feelings of embarrassment, whereas high school participants revealed that teachers, staff, and peers were receptive and accepting of them and their stuttering. All participants reported that their speech therapy helped with classroom participation. Conclusions As a result of the participants' varied experiences, it is important to listen to and incorporate the voices of students who stutter into school, classroom, and therapy decision-making practices.

Low Self-control and School Bullying: Testing the GTC in Nigerian Sample of Middle School Students

2021 ◽  
pp. 088626052199128
Author(s):  
Omobolanle Atinuke Fenny
Keyword(s):  
Middle School ◽  
Middle School Students ◽  
Explanatory Power ◽  
Empirical Support ◽  
School Bullying ◽  
Self Control ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
School Students ◽  
Bullying Perpetration ◽  
Low Self Control

Gottfredson and Hirschi’s General Theory of Crime’s (GTC) claim to explain crime, at all times, and in all places, has received considerable empirical support using Western, Scandinavian, and Asian samples. However, the theory is yet to be tested using a Nigerian sample. Using cross-sectional data from a sample of 1,192 junior secondary school (middle school) students in Nigeria, this study examines the explanatory power of Gottfredson and Hirschi’s GTC in predicting bullying perpetration and victimization in that context and culture. Binomial logistic regression was used to test the hypothesis that the bullying perpetration and victimization experiences of these students would be negatively related to self-control. Study provides support for the cross-cultural potency of the GTC as low self-control predicted the bullying and victimization experiences of these students regardless of gender. Students’ perception of a negative school environment was also a significant predictor of bullying. This is the first test of the GTC with a Nigerian sample and hopefully, will be a springboard for effective bullying prevention policy/programs in Nigerian schools. The public policy implications of the findings are discussed.

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