Skip to main content
Log in

Serious science games, social selves and complex nature of possible selves

  • Forum
  • Published:
Cultural Studies of Science Education Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Margaret Beier, Leslie Miller, and Shu Wang’s paper, Science games and the development of possible selves examines the effects of game-playing in a serious scientific game on science possible selves identity creation, utilizing a possible selves identification instrument they created. This paper continues the discussion that Beier and colleagues start in the paper by calling into question both the idea that a predictive model of science career choice can be attained by serious science game-playing and the nature of the instrument created and used by Beier and her colleagues to identify participants’ creation of science possible selves. Recommendations include incorporating the idea of possible selves as being complex, dynamic and intertwined with self-concept in interpreting their findings and casting a wider net to capture the phenomena of their participants’ identities and experiences by potentially making use of possible selves identification methodologies from the career training arena.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Beier, M. E., Miller, L. M., & Wang, S. (2012). Science games and the development of scientific possible selves. Cultural Studies of Science Education,. doi:10.1111/j.1754-9434.2012.01420.x.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bruner, J. (1990). Acts of meaning. Cambridge: Harvard University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chambers, D. W. (1983). Stereotypic images of the scientist: The draw-a-scientist test. Science Education, 67, 255–265. doi:10.1002/sce.3730670213.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cross, S. E., & Markus, H. (1994). Self-schemas, possible selves, and competent performance. Journal of Educational Psychology, 86, 423–438. doi:10.1037//0022-0663.86.3.423.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dodge, T., Barab, S., Stuckey, B., Warren, S., Heiselt, C., & Stein, R. (2008). Children’s sense of self: Learning and meaning in the digital age. Journal of Interactive Learning Research, 19, 225–249.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dweck, C. S. (2006). Mindset. New York: Random House.

    Google Scholar 

  • Erikson, E. H. (1968). Identity: Youth and crisis. New York: Norton.

    Google Scholar 

  • Finson, K. D. (2002). Drawing a scientist: What we do and do not know after fifty years of drawings. School Science and Mathematics, 102, 335–345. doi:10.1111/j.1949-8594.1995.tb15762.x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hock, M., Schumaker, J., & Deshler, D. (2003). Possible selves: Nurturing student motivation. Lawrence: Edge Enterprises.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoskins, M., & Leseho, J. (1996). Changing metaphors of the self: Implications for counseling. Journal of Counseling & Development, 74, 243–252. doi:10.1002/j.1556-6676.1996.tb01860.x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kelly, G. (1955). Principles of personal construct psychology. New York: Norton.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lee, J. J., & Hoadley, C. M. (2007). Leveraging identity to make learning fun: Possible selves and experiential learning in massively multiplayer online games (MMOGs). Innovate, 6. doi:10.1109/ICALT.2006.1652553.

  • Markus, H., & Nurius, P. (1986). Possible selves. American Psychologist, 41, 954–969. doi:10.1037//0003-066X.41.9.954.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Markus, H., & Wurf, E. (1987). The dynamic self-concept: A social psychological perspective. In M. R. Rosenweig, & L. W. Porter (Eds.), Annual review of psychology, Vol. 38 (pp. 299–337). doi:10.1146/annurev.psych.38.1.299.

  • Norman, C., & Aron, A. (2003). Aspects of future self that predict motivation to achieve or avoid it. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 39, 500–507.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Oyserman, D. (2008). Possible selves: Identity-based motivation and school success. In H. Marsh, R. Craven, & D. McInerney (Eds.), Self-processes, learning and enabling human potential dynamic new approaches, Vol 3rd International Advances in Self Research (pp. 269–288). USA: Information Age Press.

  • Oyserman, D., Bybee, D., & Terry, K. (2006). Possible selves and academic outcomes: How and when possible selves impel action. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 91, 188–204. doi:10.1037/0022-3514.91.1.188.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Oyserman, D., & Markus, H. R. (1990). Possible selves and delinquency. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 59, 112–125.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Packard, B. W., & Nguyen, D. (2003). Science career-related possible selves of adolescent girls: A longitudinal study. Journal of Career Development, 29, 4. doi:10.1177/089484530302900403.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ruvolo, A. P., & Markus, H. R. (1992). Possible selves and performance: The power of self-relevant imagery. Social Cognition, 10, 95–124. doi:10.1521/soco.1992.10.1.95.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schunk, D. H., & Zimmerman, B. J. (1997). Social origins of self-regulatory competence. Educational Psychologist, 32, 195–208. doi:10.1207/s15326985ep3204_1.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shepard, B., & Marshall, A. (1999). Possible selves mapping: Life-career exploration with young adolescents. Canadian Journal of Counselling, 33, 37–54.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith, J. (2006). The self-regulated nature of self-concept and the life world: Investigating the process of personal change and transition. Educate, 4(2), 45–65. Retrieved August 02, 2012 from http://www.educatejournal.org/index.php/educate/article/view/38.

  • Steele, C. M., & Aronson, J. (1995). Stereotype threat and the intellectual test performance of African Americans. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 69, 797–811. doi:10.1037/0022-3514.69.5.797.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sternberg, R. J. (1997). Metaphors of mind conceptions of the nature of intelligence. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mubina Schroeder Khan.

Additional information

Lead Editor: C. Milne.

Forum response to Beier, Miller, and Wang (2012). Science games and the development of scientific possible selves. doi:10.1007/s11422-012-9408-0

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Khan, M.S. Serious science games, social selves and complex nature of possible selves . Cult Stud of Sci Educ 7, 993–1000 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11422-012-9467-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11422-012-9467-2

Keywords

Navigation