Selective Importance in Self-Enhancement: Patterns of Feedback Adolescents Use to Improve Math Self-Concept

We illustrate how early adolescents use different patterns of ability feedback to promote a positive self-concept of ability (SCA) in mathematics. Students can simultaneously use ability appraisals from parents and teachers, while also drawing information from peer, dimensional, and temporal comparisons. Although we find these five sources are equally important for promoting students’ positive SCA, on average, we use a pattern-centered approach...