Self-esteem

Question 1

Self-esteem (SE)

Answer 1

Positive or negative global attitude toward self.

Question 2

What is high self-esteem (SE) associated with?

Answer 2

• Health & wellbeing
• Work performance and satisfaction
• Low neuroticism, extraversion, conscientiousness, and agreeableness and openness to experience.

Question 3

What is low self-esteem (SE) associated with?

Answer 3

• Mental health problems
• Substance abuse
• Lower levels of life/relationship satisfaction

Question 4

What factors shape self-esteem (SE)?

Answer 4

• Past success/failure experiences
• Caregiver patterns of reinforcement/punishment toward child - social
  feedback
• Physical attractiveness
• Self-evaluations from social comparisons
• Competencies (skills)
• Acceptance/rejection from others

Question 5

What are the functions of self-esteem?

Answer 5

1. Sociometer hypothesis
2. Low self-esteem signals changes need to be made to improve the self.

Question 6

Sociometer hypothesis

Answer 6

Self-esteem evolved to monitor one’s social acceptance (essential to reproduction and survival), allowing one to gauge,
anticipate, and avoid social devaluation/rejection.

Question 7

How can you improve self-esteem?

Answer 7

• Make time to clarify your values.
• Shift your focus from outcomes to growth.
• Cultivate a habit of gratitude.
• Manage your expectations effectively.
• Learn to be assertive.
• Don’t be ashamed to talk to friends.
• Write down your goals.

Question 8

Does self-esteem change drastically?

Answer 8

No, self-esteem doesn’t change drastically - only slight changes throughout one’s life.

Question 9

What is the purpose of self-esteem/what happens if we lose it?

Answer 9

Lose motivation (if we never feel bad about ourselves we will never aim to change for the better), catastrophe, self-regulation would collapse (because you need to be motivated to do something about the bad parts about yourself).