Self-Esteem

Self-esteem def

The overall/net positive or negative evaluation people have of themselves

Trait self-esteem def + characteristic

An individual’s enduring sense of self-worth over time

• Relatively stable + generalised

State self-esteem def + characteristic

Self-evalutions in the moment

• Dynamic + fluctuating

• Influenced by successes + failures in domains most central to one’s self-worth (contingencies of self-worth model (Jennifer Crocker)

Possible function of self-esteem (1→3) and why (1)

Sociometer theory (Leary, 1995, 2012)

• Suggests self-esteem functions as a gauge of social acceptance/rejection by others

  • Acceptance/rejection → determines state self-esteem

  • State SE = perceived acceptance

  • Trait SE = general ‘relational value’

• Evolved evolutionarily (for survival + belongingness needs)

Self-esteem + culture notes

• Independent cultures (Western) foster higher self-esteem than interdependent (non-Western) cultures

  • Defining the self interdependently appears to be correlated with seeking more opportunities for self improvement

Self-enhancement def

The need to maintain, increase or protect positive views of the self

Better than average effect (3)

• A self-serving construal

• ‘Better than average effect’: most Westerners tend to believe that they are above average on ambiguous traits which are important (e.g. popular, kind and fair), as well as better than average drivers

• Note that people tend to judge themselves at their best against other peoples’ average

Self-affirmation theory def (1)

Idea that people can maintain an overall sense of self-worth after being exposed to psychologically threatening information by affirming a valued aspect of themself in a different domain

Effectiveness of self-affirmation + benefit

• Effective

• May limit more negative responses (e.g. blaming others, stereotyping of otheres) + increase responsiveness to useful but potentially troubling information (e.g. health info)

Notes on flawed self-appraisal + mechanism

• Individuals who perform below average in a given domain are more likely to think that they did well in a task in that domain

  • Skills required to do well tend to be same skills required for accurately predicting how well one did

Self-enhancement + wellbeing possible benefits (2), note (1) possible disadvantages (1→1), + interesting cultural note (1→2)

• Can improve wellbeing

• Can help cope with stress

• Some research suggests that accurate self-beliefs foster wellbeing

• May be perceived as narcissistic

  • If these perceptions are rooted in reality, narcissism is associated with harmful + maladaptive behaviours

• Although Asians are less likely to self-enhance, they did not have lower wellbeing (suggests is not simple causal mechanism)

  • May be because a cherished view of self is valued in West but not so much in East

Is self-enhancement beneficial, overall? (4)

• Depends

• Seems to be beneficial short-term but not over long-term

• May have more straightforwards, positive relationship with personal rather than interpersonal wellbeing measures (life satisfaction vs valued by others)

• Appears to be more strongly correlated to positive evaluations from strangers rather than long-term acquaintances

Self-verification theory def (including why)

Theory that people strive for others to view them as they view themselves; such verification of one’s views of the self helps maintain a sense of coherence and predictability + can make social situations go more smoothly

Self-verification strategies

• “People tend to selectively attend to and recall info that is consistent with (and therefore verifies) views of themself”

• People tend to enter relationships that promote consistent self-views

Relationship between self-enhancement + self-verification

“Our quest to verify our sense of ourselves, then, guides our assessment of the validity of self-relevant information, while our desire to think favourably about ourselves guides our emotional reactions to the same information (Kwang & Swann, 2010)”