Case study about the development of emotional competences and the construction of personal identity in Secondary Education

Abstract

INTRODUCTION. Emotional Education develops the emotional concepts which are considered essential for the construction of personal identity, in which the interaction with the external agents acquires an irreplaceable role from a constructivist approach. This work presents the way the implementation of the Programme of the Emotional Education Course (AEdEm) promotes the construction of personal identity. METHOD. The methodology applied has entailed the application and the evaluation of the programme results in a High School. The evidence on which the evaluation is based has been obtained from classroom observations, interviews with pupils and self-report questionnaires conducted during the development of the programme. The qualitative analysis of this data has been carried out through a system of categories designed on the basis of the identity construct and a competency model. RESULTS. The results obtained indicate that Emotional Education promotes the construction of personal identity through the development of aspects proper to the emotional competences ranging from consciousness, expression and composure to responsibility, empathy and prosocial attitudes. DISCUSSION. In conclusion, Emotional Education, when it is systematically addressed and incorporated to the curriculum, contributes to the development of personal identity making more conscious and sensitive individuals at a personal and social level.