Self Esteem

Self Esteem

Amber Kalk

PSY/220

February 21st, 2016

Kathleen Sturgess

        Merriam-Webster defines self-esteem as a feeling of having respect for yourself and your abilities or a confidence and satisfaction in oneself. Self-esteem is considered a trait, as well as a psychological state. People’s self-esteem can be stable over time although experiencing successes boosts self-esteem, while failures have a negative effect(Crocker and Wolfe, 2001). Not all experiences affect a person’s self-esteem. Often the experiences that fluctuate our self-esteem the most are known as contingencies of self-worth.

Baumgardner and Crothers (2009) offer insight into contingencies of self-worth. A contingency of self-worth refers to a category of outcomes on which a person has staked his or her self-esteem, so a person’s view of his or her value or worth depend on perceived successes or failures. Approval or validation from others, appearance, competition, academic competition, family support, virtue, and God’s love all affect our feelings of self-worth. We might not need to be told we are attractive but when someone tells us how good we look, we feel a boost in self-worth. Our opinions about our self-esteem might not be based on what grades we get, but doing well does give us an elevated feeling of self-worth. People who have a low self-esteem are not as outgoing or exhibit confidence like someone who has high self-esteem.

Self-esteem is based on contingencies can feel pressured to meet the standards of others, and feel disappointment, anxiety, depression, and guilt due to their inability to cope after failure. Crocker and Park conducted studies showing pursuing self-esteem as a primary goal is closely related to materialism. A person constantly seeking the approval from friends or family is more likely to make their decisions to please others and not necessarily themselves. My first college experience was pursuing a nursing program my family thought I should do. I ultimately was unhappy and disappointed in myself. It is difficult to live up to others expectations. On the other hand, self-esteem is important and can provide us with a solid foundation for health and happiness. Baumgardner and Crothers conclude that higher self-esteem is linked to healthier lifestyles and lower self-esteem is linked to unhealthier lifestyle.