Self-talk is the ongoing internal dialogue that people have with themselves throughout the day. It can be positive or negative, and it can affect a person’s self-esteem, confidence, and motivation. Positive affirmations are statements that people use to replace negative self-talk with positive self-talk. In education, positive affirmations can be used to help students develop a growth mindset, build self-esteem, and increase motivation. This article explores the science of self-talk and the benefits of using positive affirmations in education.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
The Science of Self-Talk
Self-talk is a natural and automatic process that occurs in the human brain. It is a reflection of a person’s thoughts, beliefs, and emotions. Positive self-talk is associated with better psychological well-being, while negative self-talk is associated with negative outcomes such as anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. Researchers have found that negative self-talk can also impair cognitive performance, whereas positive self-talk can enhance it (1).
In addition, research shows that self-talk can affect physical performance. A study by Blakeslee and associates (2005) found that self-talk improved balance and increased the ability to maintain a standing position in older adults. Positive self-talk has also been found to increase endurance, strength, and speed in athletes (2).
Using Positive Affirmations in Education
Positive affirmations are statements that people use to counteract negative self-talk. In education, positive affirmations can be used to help students develop a growth mindset and increase motivation. A growth mindset is a belief that intelligence and abilities can be developed through effort and hard work (3). Students with a growth mindset are more likely to embrace challenges, persist in the face of failure, and view mistakes as opportunities to learn (4).
Positive affirmations can help students develop a growth mindset by promoting positive self-talk. For example, a student who is struggling with math may say, “I am capable of learning math. I can understand this concept with practice.” This positive affirmation can replace negative self-talk such as “I’m terrible at math” or “I’ll never understand this.”
Positive affirmations can also help students build self-esteem. Self-esteem is the degree to which a person values themselves and believes they are capable of achieving their goals (5). Students with high self-esteem are more likely to have positive attitudes, engage in healthy behaviors, and perform better academically (6).
Finally, positive affirmations can increase motivation. Motivation is the driving force behind the behavior, and it can be intrinsic (coming from within) or extrinsic (coming from external rewards or punishments) (7). Positive affirmations can help students develop intrinsic motivation by fostering a sense of autonomy, competence, and relatedness (8). For example, a student who is struggling with writing may say, “I am a creative writer. I enjoy expressing my ideas in writing.” This positive affirmation can help the student feel more autonomous and competent, leading to increased motivation.
Conclusion
Positive affirmations can be a powerful tool in education. By promoting positive self-talk, positive affirmations can help students develop a growth mindset, build self-esteem, and increase motivation. As such, educators can incorporate positive affirmations into their teaching practices to help students achieve their full potential.