Doctoral Dissertations

Mi Hu

Date of Award

5-1998

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

Major

Education

Major Professor

LaVerne B. Lindsey

Committee Members

Richard Wisniewski, Thomas W. George, James N. Gehlhar, Douglas K. Wilkerson

Abstract

The concepts of autonomy and self-respect have been widely studied in psychological and sociological contexts. It has been recognized that these concepts play an important role in the growth and maturation of adolescents. This study examined the question of whether the essential capacities of autonomy and self-respect as suggested by Attfield are found in outstanding literature written for children and young adults. Eleven Newbery Award-winning novels, in which the protagonists are between the ages of twelve and twenty, v;ere selected for this study. The method of analysis suggested by Hippie and Berelson was adopted to examine the development of autonomy and self-respect in the young-adult protagonists. Attfield's perspective on intrinsic value was adopted to relate autonomy and self-respect. Subcategories used for determining autonomy included a) the ability to make decisions of one's own, b) the ability to follow rules, c) a sense of responsibility for one's beliefs, d) a sense of responsibility for one's attitudes, and e) a sense of responsibility for one's actions. The subcategories of self-respect included a) a person's sense of his own value in such aspects as physical appearance, ability, skills, role, and social status; b) confidence in one's ability to fulfill one's intentions (or autonomous decisions); and c) a sense of the value of one's activities. Findings included the following:

  1. Changes in values and attitudes are consistently related to the development of autonomy in all its subcategories.
  2. The sense of responsibility for one's beliefs, attitudes, and actions comes from an awareness of consequences and of a readiness to handle those consequences.
  3. The factors instrumental in the development and enhancement of a sense of personal value fall into four categories: competence, personality, recognition, and an awareness of one's uniqueness.
  4. High levels of motivation are displayed along with the presence of personal aspiration, personal safety considerations, and personal emotional needs.
  5. Values acquired during the process of developing their sense of self-respect help the young-adult protagonists to grow and mature into responsible, intelligent, contributing, and independent adults.

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