What students say to themselves : internal dialogue and school success /

The "whispering self" is an inner dialogue that structures people's perception and conception of the world and the self. Individuals create and respond to their own internal conversations, which has consequences for their sense of worth, efficacy, and confidence. In this concise, clearly written monograph, Purkey, a former public school teacher and currently professor of counselor education at University of North Carolina, Greensboro, describes how those who work with young people can encourage positive, realistic self-talk in themselves and their students. The volume offers a brief historical overview of Western conceptions of the self, from ancient Greece to theories of self-efficacy, and discusses future directions for research in this area. Teachers must master their own self-talk, reformulating negative self-talk into healthy internal dialogue. The "self-enhancing school" supports positive student self-perceptions and behaviors. Its classrooms are characterized by optimism, respect for all students, and multiculturalism. Teachers can help students by helping them to become aware of their own self-talk and by challenging negative and irrational self-talk. Written for teachers and teachers-in-training, this volume will also interest school administrators, counselors, teacher educators, and parents. For additional strategies and guidance, see William Purkey and Paula Stanley, The Inviting School Treasury: 1001 Ways to Invite School Success (1997). J. A. Gamradt; University of New Mexico