Madam, - In his article "High self-esteem is not always a good thing" (Science Today, May 26th) William Reville quotes American research which shows that high self-esteem does not necessarily boost academic performance.
A study conducted by BM Byrne (1990) and reported in the Canadian Journal of Education (15:2:173-182) throws further light on this question.
Byrne distinguishes between general self-concept and academic self-concept. She found that student membership of high or low tracks or streams in high schools could not be distinguished on the basis of general self-concept.
Her findings suggest that although low-track students may know of their inferior academic ability, they may place little value on academic attainment; their low academic achievement, therefore, may have little bearing on their overall concept of self.
The conclusion to be drawn from all of this, I suppose, is that it is the personal value we place on academic success that is important and how we see ourselves in relation to academic work. This appears to be a greater determinant of our achievement in the area than our general self-concept or self-esteem. - Yours, etc,
AIDEEN MADDEN,
Banagher,
Co Offaly.