Sex, Race, Grade Level, and Social Class Differences in Self-Concept

The literature contains conflicting reports related to sex, race, age, and social class differences in self-crept. Previous studies have generally relied solely on global self-concepts as evidence of subgroup variations. In this study, three self-concept instruments were administered to 374 students in grades 7, 9, and 11. By using total scores as well as subscale scores, indications were obtained not only of global self-concept, but perceptions of the various dimensions of the self as well. Significant sex, race, grade level, and social class differences appeared even when global scores of the various subgroups were statistically comparable.