Can we change the size of the pond? : future directions for big-fish-little-pond effect research

Marjorie Seaton, Herbert W. Marsh, Rhonda Craven

    Research output: Chapter in Book / Conference PaperConference Paper

    Abstract

    ![CDATA[Big-fish-little-pond effect (BFLPE) research has demonstrated that frame of reference effects impact upon self-concept and other desirable educational outcomes. However, while the validity and the generalizability of the BFLPE have been extensively demonstrated in 26 countries (Marsh & Hau, 2003), these countries were mostly industrialised, western countries. Furthermore, researchers (e.g. Marsh, 1991) have advocated that identifying individual differences among students would be a valuable tool in developing policies to maximize the benefits of attending academically selective schools, but these differences have not as yet been examined. Additionally, researchers have proposed that social comparison processes are responsible for the BFLPE, but this hypothesis has not been investigated fully. The purpose of this paper is to explore directions for future research that would address these concerns. It outlines ways in which the recently expanded Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) database (OECD, 2001) could be utilised to: ascertain whether the BFLPE extends to non-industrialized and non-western countries to provide even stronger support for the BFLPE's validity and generalizability; and elucidate some of the moderators of the BFLPE. Methods to explore the impact of social comparison processes on the BFLPE are also explored. Preliminary results are presented and implications for educational policy discussed.]]
    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationAustralian Association for Research in Education 2005 conference papers
    PublisherAustralian Association for Research in Education
    Number of pages1
    Publication statusPublished - 2005
    EventAustralian Association for Research in Education. Conference -
    Duration: 2 Dec 2012 → …

    Publication series

    Name
    ISSN (Print)1324-9339

    Conference

    ConferenceAustralian Association for Research in Education. Conference
    Period2/12/12 → …

    Keywords

    • gifted children
    • educational research
    • high schools
    • educational psychology
    • self-perception
    • self-esteem

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