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Self Esteem

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Self-esteem Self-esteem is referred to ‘‘positive or negative attitude towards one own self’’ (Rosenberg, 1965), Self esteem is analyzed as a key predictor of psychological well-being, at least among people in Western societies (Baumeister, Campbell, Krueger, &Vohs, 2003; Oishi, Diener, Lucas, &Suh, 1999). According to Harter (1999) the perceptions of physical appearance and self-worth are interlinked, as perceived appearance is consistently evidenced as the strongest single indicator of self-esteem among female adolescents. (Harter). Physical appearance is evidenced as most important predictor among the social acceptance and self confidence of girls (Coyl, 2009).Self-esteem is the key indicator of self evaluation of the self-concept …show more content…

For instance, William James (1890) argued that self-esteem developed from the growth of experiences in which people’s outcomes exceeded their goals on some important dimension, under the general rule that self-esteem = success/pretensions. From this perspective, assessment has to be carried out on possible discrepancies between current appraisals and personal goals and motives. Moreover, self-perceived skills that allow people to achieve goals are also important to analyze. Thus, measures ought to include some reference to personal perception about capability and …show more content…

Many of the most well known theories of self-esteem are supported by Cooley’s (1902) notion of the looking-glass self, in which self-appraisals are viewed as indissoluble from social milieu. Mead’s (1934) symbolic interactions emphasized on a process by which people internalize ideas and behaviors expressed by distinct figures in their lives. In effect, individuals come to respond to themselves in a manner consistent with the ways of those around him. Low self-esteem is likely to result when key figures reject, ignore, demean, or devalue the person. Subsequent thinking by Coopersmith (1967) and Rosenberg (1965, 1979), as well as most contemporary self-esteem research, is well in accord with the basic tenets of symbolic interactionism. According to this viewpoint, it is important to analyze how people perceive themselves to be viewed by significant others, such as peers, classmates, relatives, and so on. Some modern theories of self-esteem have focused on the norms and values of the cultures and communities in which people are raised. For instance, Crocker and her colleagues have argued that some people experience collective self-esteem because they are especially likely to base their self esteem on their social identities as relating to specific groups (Luhtanen & Crocker, 1992). Leary, Tambor, Terdal, and Downs (1995) have stated a distinct and significant social account of self-esteem. Socio meter theory begins with the hypothesis that humans have as

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