Cross‐Cultural Research into Children's Self‐Concept in Thailand and Australia

Abstract

This paper addresses the issue of cross‐cultural research in the social sciences, specifically in the conceptualization and measurement of pupil self‐concept. Despite the increasing trend towards globalization of the world's telecommunications, finance and education industries, there are many cultural differences that persist. Research is presented to demonstrate cross‐cultural similarities in the structure of children's self‐concepts across several Asian societies, as well as the differences that exist between Thai and Australian children's self‐assessments. The results and educational implications of this cross‐cultural research are discussed in this paper.

Descriptors: Cross‐cultural research, self‐concept, educational achievement, gender differences, Thai and Australian children.