作为补偿性控制的优绩主义理念：中国情境中优绩主义如何影响学业压力？-清华大学教育研究

文章信息/Info

Title:: The Meritocratic Ideology as a Compensatory Control:How Does Meritocracy Affect Academic Stress in China?

Author(s):: LIU Cheng YU Xiu-lan ZHOU Tong; Institute of Education, Nanjing University

Keywords:: meritocracy; academic pressure; Michael Sandel; compensatory control theory

摘要:: 优绩主义理念近年来饱受公众和学界的批判，其中一个重要原因是，人们普遍受到以马科维茨和桑德尔为代表的学说影响，认为优绩主义理念导致过度的学业竞争压力。然而，学业压力必然是由优绩主义理念导致的吗？基于中国家庭追踪调查多期数据的分析，研究结果并不支持以马科维茨和桑德尔为代表的理论学说：学生感知到的优绩主义并不必然和学业压力的增长相关，反而有证据表明，它可能缓解部分（来自弱势背景）学生群体的学业压力。该结果和补偿性控制理论的解释相符合，按照该理论的解释，弱势群体的优绩主义感知恰恰能够补偿个体因弱势处境而损失的自我控制感。以上结果说明，需注意到中美情境差异，客观看待学生学业压力的形成原因，不急于否定优绩主义理念。

Abstract:: In recent years, the concept of meritocracy has faced significant criticism. A primary reason is the influence of scholars like Daniel Markovits and Michael Sandel, who argue that meritocracy leads to excessive academic competition and pressure. However, is academic pressure necessarily caused by meritocracy?Based on longitudinal data from the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS), this study presents findings that do not support the theories of Markovits and Sandel, showing that students’ perceptions of meritocracy are not inevitably linked to increased academic pressure. In fact, evidence suggests it may even alleviate pressure for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. This result aligns with Compensatory Control Theory. According to this theory, a belief in meritocracy can help disadvantaged groups regain a sense of self-control that is otherwise lost due to their social standing. These findings suggest that we must consider the contextual differences between China and the West. We should objectively evaluate the causes of academic pressure rather than rushing to reject meritocracy.