Title

Impact and Influence: A Content Analysis of Contemporary Multicultural Picture Books and Their Portrayal of the Main Character’s Self-Efficacy

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

Department

Curriculum and Instruction

Date of Award

Fall 2022

Abstract

This latent content analysis utilized a critical lens to explore 20 multicultural picture books that received the Coretta Scott King or Pura Belpré Award. All books were written between the years of 2001 and 2021 for school-age children. The researcher examined the extent in which contemporary multicultural picture books portrayed the main character’s self-efficacy. The intent of this study was to promote understanding among children, provide educators with a list of culturally authentic texts that can be used as instructional tools; and assist authors, illustrators, publishers and book award committees by taking a deeper look into their texts and determining the level of self-efficacy in their portrayal of all members in our society.The central questions in this study are: To what extent does the representation of the main character’s ethnicity in contemporary multicultural picture books influence and impact the portrayal of their perceived self-efficacy? How is the portrayal of the main character’s agency influenced and impacted by socialization? How does the setting influence and impact the portrayal of the main character’s agency? How is the representation of the main character’s agency influenced and impacted by their perceived self-efficacy? How does the portrayal of the main character’s ethnicity influence the main character’s agency? How does the language used by the main character influence and impact their perceived self-efficacy? These questions are answered using the Generalized Self-Efficacy Scale (Schwarzer & Jerusalem, 1995) and an adapted questionnaire for cultural authenticity, Examining Cultural Authenticity within International Literature (Short, 2006). The theoretical framework uses constructivism as a foundation then builds upon Bandura’s social learning (Bandura, 1977) and self-efficacy (Bandura, 1994) theories, stating that information is acquired and then influenced by the environment and people around them to create meaning. The findings were significant providing evidence of cultural authenticity and levels of high self-efficacy in multicultural picture books.

Advisor

Tami Morton

Subject Categories

Early Childhood Education | Education

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