The Self, continued: Mythology of Self-Esteem

These flashcards cover key concepts from the lecture on the mythology of self-esteem, including self-esteem's societal implications, myths about low self-esteem, and the Sociometer Theory.

What motive is self-esteem considered to be in Western culture?

Self-esteem is an important motive that drives people to think well of themselves.

What is the epidemic of low self-esteem often claimed to target?

Efforts targeting women, girls, and minorities often claim an epidemic of low self-esteem.

What is the 'Lake Wobegon' Effect?

The belief that everyone is above average in self-esteem.

How does high self-esteem relate to social acceptance?

High self-esteem is associated with feeling socially accepted and leads to positive feelings.

What is the 'Dunning-Kruger Effect'?

The phenomenon where individuals in the lower performance quartiles greatly overestimate their abilities.

What behavior do people with high self-esteem exhibit in romantic relationships?

People with high self-esteem may respond to relationship problems by leaving.

What correlation exists between self-esteem and health behaviors?

There is not much evidence that self-esteem prevents bad health behaviors like smoking or drug use.

What is the 'buffering hypothesis' related to self-esteem?

The idea that high self-esteem can buffer against depression and serve as a resource for coping with stress.

What does Sociometer Theory suggest about self-esteem?

Self-esteem is an indicator of social acceptance and relational value, not an end goal.

Why might increasing self-esteem have harmful consequences?

Pursuing higher self-esteem can distort focus on competence and impair learning and autonomy.

What do people with low self-esteem ultimately want according to emerging consensus?

People with low self-esteem desire to succeed and be loved, but they may not expect or trust that they will be.

How does self-esteem act as a gauge of relational value?

Self-esteem measures how much others value you and can change based on social support.

What are the implications of self-esteem in terms of group dynamics?

High self-esteem in individuals may lead to greater in-group bias and prejudice.

What is the relationship between high self-esteem and job performance?

There is a weak correlation between self-esteem and actual job performance.

What do people with high self-esteem expect in life?

They expect to succeed, be liked, and achieve better outcomes.

How can self-enhancement bias affect memory?

People remember positive information about themselves better than negative information.

What is the role of emotional responses in Sociometer Theory?

Emotional responses to social treatment contribute to the monitoring of self-esteem as a gauge of relational value.