The Turkish Online Journal of Design, Art and Communication - TOJDAC ISSN: 2146-5193, September 2018 Special Edition, p.1207-1214 APPLICATION OF THE DISPUTATION TECHNIQUE TO ENHANCE STUDENT’S SELF-ESTEEM Rahimi Che Aman School of Educational Studies, Universiti Sains Malaysia : rahimi@usm.my Dzilal Abdul Aziz Faculty of Educational Study, Universiti Putra Malaysia; dzilal@gmail.com ABSTRACT This study aims to identify the effect of the disputation technique to enhance self-esteem in a student with low academic performance. Apart from that, this study also uncovers the symptoms of low self- esteem and the level of self-esteem in a student. A subject was chosen through purposive sampling technique. The subject was selected based on various predetermined criteria. The research comprised six counselling sessions. The qualitative data was collected throughout the counselling sessions using the transcription of the counselling sessions, observation list and quantitative data collected using the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. The data were then analyzed using descriptive analysis and content analysis. The result showed that the student’s level of self-esteem increased. As a conclusion, the symptoms of low self-esteem have also been successfully identified, and the result shows that the application of the disputation technique is effective in enhancing the self-esteem of a student with low academic performance through cognitive, emotion and behavior analysis. Keywords: disputation technique, self-esteem, counselling Introduction Low academic performance is believed to lower the self-esteem of students due to irrational beliefs held by the student (Nielsen and Horan, 1996). Low self-esteem will affect the future of the students in term of self-concept and self-confidence if the level of self-esteem is not improved (Shokraii-Rees, 2003). The approach chosen to be used to help increase the level of the student’s self-esteem is the disputation technique based on the Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT). Research Background Adolescence is an intense time of emotional and physical change in a young person’s life (McClure, Tanski & Kingsbury, 2010). It is during this period that adolescents begin to develop a positive or negative perception of themselves. Based on a recent study, adolescents are experiencing more social and psychological problems than ever before (Mc Namara, 2000). These trends show an increased pressure that adolescents face which will ultimately tear down the walls of confidence and diminishes one’s self-esteem (Mc Namara, 2000). An adolescent spent a great amount of time per day in school. Thus, no aspect of school life, be it in the realm of academic achievement or social acceptance leaves a child’s self-esteem untouched. The development of high self-esteem and high academic achievement can lead to an improved quality of life (Shokraii-Rees, 2003). Many adolescents are stressed daily due to low grade and test scores. Academic performance, academic achievement and social adjustment influence children’s self-esteem (Henderson, 1991). The term self-esteem refers to how the beliefs and personal attributes that people have about themselves can affect them (McClure, Tanski & Kingsbury, 2010). Starting from these beliefs, judgements and feelings are formed about their capabilities and worth. Over time, children create and assemble feelings that people have about their own capabilities and self-worth that they can articulate to others as their self-esteem. Jordan, Spencer & Zanna (2005) stated that self-esteem is a product of an individual’s own sense of their achievements and aspirations. Therefore, people who perceive themselves as successful in areas of their aspirations should have higher self-esteem than people with lower self-assessments. The process of formal education can have a profound effect on a child’s self-esteem as the child must master specific learning skills which are evaluated through the academic assessment carried out in schools. Thus, low academic performance will affect the self-esteem of an adolescent due to Submit Date: 10.07.2018, Acceptance Date: 22.08.2018, DOI NO: 10.7456/1080SSE/162 Research Article - This article was checked by Turnitin Copyright © The Turkish Online Journal of Design, Art and Communication