American college students are increasingly likely to describe themselves as "gifted"

*tahayassen*

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-20756247

Well, I'm an undergraduate freshman and I would say I'm above average (relative to all 18 year olds in Canada). I would also say I'm above average (relative to my peers in my classes at uni because I've revamped my work habits recently). About a year ago, I would say that I was below average (relative to the smart students in my university classes in high school). I think it's just a coincidence that there's a correlation between confidence and how well you do in school. I think decrease in academic ability has to do with the number of distractions readily available these days - we're in a post-productivity age.

jtbell

Down here in the States we call this the "Lake Wobegon effect."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Wobegon

zoobyshoe

The article is confusing.

"What's really become prevalent over the last two decades is the idea that being highly self-confident - loving yourself, believing in yourself - is the key to success.

"Now the interesting thing about that belief is it's widely held, it's very deeply held, and it's also untrue."

Then later:

He found that although high self-esteem frequently had a positive correlation with success, the direction of causation was often unclear. For example, are high marks awarded to people with high self-esteem or does getting high marks engender high self-esteem?

I'm not sure what point is being made at all.

Jimmy Snyder

Quote by zoobyshoe

The article is confusing.

That's strange, because William Kremer told me he was better than most journalists.

WannabeNewton

The great George Carlin did a brilliant bit on the absurdity of the so called self - esteem movement that zooby quoted from the article. I can't link it here as it contains many obscenities but you can easily find it on youtube if you're interested.

*tahayassen*

Quote by WannabeNewton

The great George Carlin did a brilliant bit on the absurdity of the so called self - esteem movement that zooby quoted from the article. I can't link it here as it contains many obscenities but you can easily find it on youtube if you're interested.

According to Wikipedia, he's a comedian.

WannabeNewton

Quote by tahayassen

According to Wikipedia, he's a comedian.

Yeah so?

*tahayassen*

Quote by WannabeNewton

Yeah so?

I started this thread with the intention of a semi-serious discussion. Typically, comedians stretch the truth or exaggerate something for comedic purposes. I watched it by the way, pretty funny.

WannabeNewton

Quote by tahayassen

I started this thread with the intention of a semi-serious discussion. Typically, comedians stretch the truth or exaggerate something for comedic purposes. I watched it by the way, pretty funny.

Carlin isn't a typical comedian IMO; he is almost always right on the money. I agree with his views on this in particular because I find that boosting self - esteem and confidence is all surface level and it is a meaningless tactic that doesn't prove anything about ability in the long run.

*tahayassen*

Quote by WannabeNewton

Carlin isn't a typical comedian IMO; he is almost always right on the money. I agree with his views on this in particular because I find that boosting self - esteem and confidence is all surface level and it is a meaningless tactic that doesn't prove anything about ability in the long run.

Would you say that the movement would hurt academic performance?

Quote by zoobyshoe

The article is confusing.

Then later:

I'm not sure what point is being made at all.

Yeah, I'm not sure why that second quote was in the article there.

StevieTNZ

Quote by WannabeNewton

Carlin isn't a typical comedian IMO; he is almost always right on the money.

Much like Bill Maher. ;)

Evo

Quote by WannabeNewton

Carlin isn't a typical comedian IMO; he is almost always right on the money. I agree with his views on this in particular because I find that boosting self - esteem and confidence is all surface level and it is a meaningless tactic that doesn't prove anything about ability in the long run.

Yeah, Carlin says it as it is.

WannabeNewton

Quote by tahayassen

Would you say that the movement would hurt academic performance?

Well if a person gets too confident in him/herself there is always the threat of being kicked in the face by reality and the owing up the fact that simply boosting one's self confidence or esteem will not guarantee a good grade on an exam. If the over - confidence is supplemented with hard work then I'm sure that problem won't be there but over confident people don't in general doubt their "superior" abilities enough to study substantially.

zoobyshoe

Quote by Evo

Yeah, Carlin says it as it is.

Not any more.

lisab

Quote by zoobyshoe

Not any more.

Mentalist

Imagination is often bigger than the reality of the person dreaming of it. Don't let it consume you to the point you are walking around so delusional that you think everything you touch is gold, and everything you say is the objective truth.

zoobyshoe

Quote by lisab

What can I say? She used the present tense!

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jtbell Mentor	Down here in the States we call this the "Lake Wobegon effect." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Wobegon

WannabeNewton Recognitions: Gold Member Science Advisor	The great George Carlin did a brilliant bit on the absurdity of the so called self - esteem movement that zooby quoted from the article. I can't link it here as it contains many obscenities but you can easily find it on youtube if you're interested.

Mentalist	Imagination is often bigger than the reality of the person dreaming of it. Don't let it consume you to the point you are walking around so delusional that you think everything you touch is gold, and everything you say is the objective truth.