Week 7
05/17/13
Self-esteem refers to the evaluative component of self-concept. It is the feeling of self-worth and value that results when one person judges themselves. Low self-esteem can make a person seem like they have nothing to be proud of, or like others hate them. High self-esteem can make a person seem arrogant but makes a person feel proud of themselves. People with high self-esteem have a favorable view of themselves. These views include competent, competitive, likable, and attractive. People with low-esteem view themselves as unlikable, incompetent, and failures. Self-esteem is influenced by others and bears some relationship to our abilities and talents. Many studies find that self-esteem fluctuates in response to feedback, acceptance, or the rejection by others (Heatherton Polivy, 1991).
Contingencies of self-worth maybe a favorable view of themselves, competent, over achievers, attractive, and likable all may help them to believe they are worthy and increase the levels of self-esteem. People with high self-esteem may also be influenced by the expectations of others. Some examples of self-contingencies may include approval of others, and appearance. If a person has low self-esteem we may hear them say “I cannot respect myself if others do not respect me”, and for high self-esteem people we may hear them say “I do not care what others think of me”. The difference between the two is that one needs the approval of others to feel good about their self’s, while the second sentence describes the high self-esteem person not caring what others think about them.
People who take pride in their appearance were found to spend more time grooming, shopping, and partying. Self-esteem based on god’s love partied less but prayed and went to church more often than other’s. Threats to self-esteem can also be helpful to people. When people experience threats to self-esteem they may learn to come up with better coping skills than those previously used. By...