Growing up, I thought my mom knew everything. If she didn't know the answer, my teacher was bound to. We often rely on elders we trust to provide answers and wisdom, sometimes even considering them experts. Bransford (2000) highlights the key components of expertise including noticing patterns not seen by a novice eye, acquiring a great repertoire of knowledge on a particular topic, and can flexibly apply this knowledge in various contexts and settings. So, was my mom really an expert at Connect 4? Maybe not, but she did become an expert, and still is, at turning my frowns, upside-down.
Now I reflect, why might I consider myself an expert in Colorado hiking but not cooking for 1? Well, I take risks and problem solve without hesitation. Hiking over 100 trails in Colorado has given me experience, knowledge, and skill to support myself, and others, on hikes around the country. Cooking, well, let's just say, along with David, I'm also still trying to understand how to fold in the cheese...
Why might I consider myself an expert in competitive hip hop dance but not hockey? My 15+ years of knowledge and (skill) practice has given me confidence to use my expertise in various performance settings; for example, choreographing for the high school dance team, but also the middle school musical. However, I can't say watching my cousins (and favorite NHL teams) play hockey, for almost as long as I've been dancing, makes me an expert in hockey. But, would a male my age, who grew up watching the same NHL teams, consider himself an expert? Researchers from the University of Chicago (2007) might say yes. When I watch any sport, on TV or in person, I am hesitant to shout at the screen or say something based on my own opinion with the fear I'm going to say the wrong thing or have the wrong opinion. This is an example of the influence and validity of the stereotype theory. For decades, researchers are finding the impact of a person's identity (age, race, gender, etc.) significantly impacts their performance. Therefore, when it comes to sports, a male dominant topic, regardless if I think my comment is relevant, I refrain from making any comments with the potential consequence of being questioned as a female trying to "talk sports".
I capture my thoughts reflecting on my evolving understanding of expertise through a time-lapsed sketch note video: what it means, if I can identify as an expert, as well as why, if and how I can confidently justify my level of expertise in various domains. The sketch note video below features both a visual representation and audio commentary further explaining my perspective of Piaget's theory of cognitive development, Watson and Skinner's theory of behaviorism, and Steele and Aronson's stereotype theory. As you watch, I challenge you to answer the questions with your own answers, reflect on your levels of expertise, and why you might feel held back or inhibited by your identity when striving to become expert-level in a certain area.
Resources:
Berkeley Graduate Division. (n.d.). Behaviorism. Graduate Student Instructor Teaching Resource Center. https://gsi.berkeley.edu/gsi-guide-contents/learning-theory-research/behaviorism/
Bransford, J. L., Brown, A. L., & Cocking, R. R. (2000). How people learn: Brain, mind, experience, and school. (Expanded Edition). National Academy Press.
Casper H. (2009, September 28). Stereotype threat - social psychology in action [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGEUVM6QuMg.
Cherry, K. (2019, September 23). The role of a schema in psychology. Verywell Mind. https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-a-schema-2795873
iamrugby. (2007, June 22). Women, math, and stereotype threat [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjn6ZSU_zS0.
Steele, C. M., & Aronson, J. (1995). Stereotype threat and the intellectual test performance of African Americans. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 69(5), 797-811. doi:10.1037//0022-3514.69.5.797
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