Intervention Example 2: Self-Affirmation Writing Exercise Materials Research Base: Chronic Threat and Contingent Belonging: Protective Benefits of Values Affirmation on Identity Development Cook, Purdie-Vaughns, Garcia, & Cohen, 2012 A field experiments followed middle schoolers over time to investigate whether self-affirmation could decrease achievement gaps and insulate sense of belonging from environmental threats. In this intervention 7th grade students self-affirmed by selecting important personal values and then writing an essay about why those values were important to them (a control condition wrote about why values that were not important to them might be important to other people). These students were then followed into 8th grade and their grades and sense of belonging were tracked. African American students in the intervention condition earned higher GPAs and this nearly halved the achievement gap between African American and white peers. Additionally, African American students in the control condition showed the typical pattern of declining belonging across the middle school years, but belonging was more stable for African American students who received the values-affirmation intervention. This suggests that the intervention helped build resiliency and bolstered these students’ sense of belonging against adversities. The intervention did not impact white students’ outcomes. Here’s how it works: Read the following list of common values. Which ones matter most to you? Which do you most naturally use to guide your choices? What do you appreciate about yourself? Pick your top three. If something comes to mind that is not on this list, write it down. Choose one of your top values and write about it for 15–30 minutes. Describe why this value is important to you and a time in your life when you had the opportunity to really express this value. Acceptance Discovery Fun Innovation Personal Growth Efficiency Generosity Integrity Problem Solving Adventure Enthusiasm Gratitude Interdependence Reliability Challenge Environment Happiness Leadership Resourcefulness Collaboration Equality Hard Work Love Self-Reliance Commitment Excellence Harmony Loyalty Simplicity/Thrift Community Fairness Health Meaningful Compassion Strength Work Faith/Religion Helping Others Courage Tradition Mindfulness Family Honesty Curiosity Trust Openness Freedom Humor Creativity Willingness Friendship Independence Discipline Wisdom
Intervention Example 2: Self-Affirmation Writing Exercise Materials Research Base: Chronic Threat and Contingent Belonging: Protective Benefits of Values Affirmation on Identity Development Cook, Purdie-Vaughns, Garcia, & Cohen, 2012 A field experiments followed middle schoolers over time to investigate whether self-affirmation could decrease achievement gaps and insulate sense of belonging from environmental threats. In this intervention 7th grade students self-affirmed by selecting important personal values and then writing an essay about why those values were important to them (a control condition wrote about why values that were not important to them might be important to other people). These students were then followed into 8th grade and their grades and sense of belonging were tracked. African American students in the intervention condition earned higher GPAs and this nearly halved the achievement gap between African American and white peers. Additionally, African American students in the control condition showed the typical pattern of declining belonging across the middle school years, but belonging was more stable for African American students who received the values-affirmation intervention. This suggests that the intervention helped build resiliency and bolstered these students’ sense of belonging against adversities. The intervention did not impact white students’ outcomes. Here’s how it works: Read the following list of common values. Which ones matter most to you? Which do you most naturally use to guide your choices? What do you appreciate about yourself? Pick your top three. If something comes to mind that is not on this list, write it down. Choose one of your top values and write about it for 15–30 minutes. Describe why this value is important to you and a time in your life when you had the opportunity to really express this value. Acceptance Adventure Challenge Collaboration Commitment Community Compassion Courage Curiosity Creativity Discipline Discovery Efficiency Enthusiasm Environment Equality Excellence Fairness Faith/Religion Family Freedom Friendship Fun Generosity Gratitude Happiness Hard Work Harmony Health Helping Others Honesty Humor Independence Innovation Integrity Interdependence Leadership Love Loyalty Meaningful Work Mindfulness Openness Personal Growth Problem Solving Reliability Resourcefulness Self-Reliance Simplicity/Thrift Strength Tradition Trust Willingness Wisdom
21stCCLC_Social_belonging_handout_2_3597.docx