SELF-ESTEEM

Definition:

Liking for the self, or

Evaluation of the self

ROSENBERG SELF-ESTEEM SCALE

0 = strongly disagree

1 = disagree

2 = agree

3 = strongly agree

__ 1. On the whole, I am satisfied with myself.

__ 2. At times, I think that I am no good at all. (R)

__ 3. I certainly feel useless at times. (R)

__ 4. I feel that I have a number of good qualities.

__ 5. I feel that I am a person of worth, at least on an equal

plane with others.

__ 6. All in all, I am inclined to feel that I am a failure. (R)

__ 7. I am able to do things as well as most people.

__ 8. I feel I do not have much to be proud of. (R)

__ 9. I wish I could have more respect for myself. (R)

__ 10. I take a positive attitude toward myself.

THEORIES OF SELF-ESTEEM

I. Genetic or Biological Basis

Twin studies

• •heritability estimates: 30-50%

• •correlates of self-esteem (extraversion, neuroticism) have strong genetic component

Serotonin Hypothesis

• •Pharmacological treatments that increase activity of serotonin are associated with increase in self-esteem

II. Socialisation

A. Reflected Appraisal Mechanism

• People evaluate the self the way significant others do

• People internalise significant others' views of the self

• If others reject, ignore, demean, or devalue the person, the person will have low self-esteem

• If others accept, pay attention to, praise, or value the person, the person will have high self-esteem

B. Sociometer

How can origins of State Self-Esteem Be Explained?

• Humans have fundamental, evolutionary-rooted need to belong
• State Self-Esteem = Monitor of likelihood of social exclusion
• When people behave in ways that increase the likelihood they will be rejected, they experience a reduction in state self-esteem

How can origins of Trait Self-Esteem Be Explained?

• High Self-Esteem persons have sociometers that indicate a low probability of rejection

Implication: High SE persons do not worry about how they are perceived by others

• Low Self-Esteem persons have sociometers that indicate a high probability of rejection

Implication: Low SE persons are highly motivated to change the impression they convey to others

Critical piece of evidence:

Low SE is highly correlated with social anxiety

HOW IS SELF-ESTEEM MAINTAINED?

• Self-Evaluation Maintenance theory

People are threatened when a close (but not distant) other outperforms them on a personally relevant task

To maintain self-esteem, people either distance themselves from the relationship or select a different aspiration

When outperformed by a close other on a non-personally relevant task, people bask in the glow of reflected glory

• Social comparison

horizontal

downward

upward

• Self-affirmation

When people fail on a certain domain, they compensate by focussing on personal strengths

that are unrelated to the failure

• Better-than-average effect







• Self-serving bias

Taking credit for success, displacing responsibility for failure

• Optimistic bias

likelihood of success, happy marriage, long life

military leaders, business persons, students

• Unrealistic perceptions of personal control

team supporters

lottery ticket buyers

• Self-handicapping

setting obstacles in the way of one's success

• Self-presentation

TYPES OF SELF PRESENTATION

Self-promotion

goal: be respected and admired

Ingratiation

goal: be liked

Intimidation

goal: be feared

Exemplification

goal: projection of integrity and moral worthiness

Supplication

goal: exploiting own weakness and dependence