Self-Esteem: Development
and Consequences
Faculty : Ms. Titiksha Paul
Programme : B.Sc. in Clinical Psychology Semester : III
Department : Clinical Psychology Module : 1
Introduction to Self -Esteem
Core Definition Psychological Significance
Self-esteem is an individual's It stands as a central component of
overall subjective evaluation of the self-concept, deeply intertwined
their own worth or value. with motivation, behavior, and
mental health outcomes.
Understanding self-esteem is crucial for comprehending human psychology and
promoting personal growth.
Theoretical Foundations
William James (1890) Contemporary View
Early conceptualisation as a ratio of Distinguishes between trait self-esteem
successes to pretensions (what we achieve (stable, enduring) and state self-esteem
vs. what we attempt). (fluctuates based on immediate
experiences).
Morris Rosenberg (1965)
Developed the widely-used global self-esteem
model, viewing it as a relatively stable,
overarching attitude towards oneself.
Developing Self-Esteem: Childhood
Nurturing Environment
Parental warmth, acceptance, and secure
attachment are pivotal for laying the groundwork
for healthy self-esteem.
Early Achievements
Successes in academic pursuits, sports, or
creative activities contribute to a child's sense of
competence and value.
Social Comparison
During school years, children begin to compare
themselves to peers, influencing their
self-perceptions.
Developing Self-Esteem:Adolescence
Popularity, peer
Pe acceptance, and body
er
In image become significant
flu
en factors shaping self-esteem
ce
Forma
during these formative
Identit
Erik Erikson's Identity vs.
Role Confusion stage years.
tion
directly impacts y Differences in self-esteem
self-esteem as adolescents
development often emerge
explore who they are. er &
n d based on gender and
Ge lture
Cu cultural contexts,
influenced by societal
expectations.
Developing Self-Esteem: Adulthood
● Work Achievement & Competence: Success
in career and professional life significantly
contributes to adult self-esteem, fostering a
sense of capability and contribution.
● Romantic & Peer Relationships: The quality
of intimate and social connections plays a
crucial role in validating self-worth and
providing emotional support.
● Stability vs. Fluctuation: While self-esteem
tends to be more stable in adulthood than in
adolescence, significant life events (e.g., job
loss, divorce) can cause fluctuations.
Cultural and Social Influences
Media & Social
Individualistic Cultures Collectivistic Cultures
Networks
Emphasis on self-expression These platforms
Focus on interdependence
and uniqueness often links significantly shape
and group harmony,
self-esteem to personal self-perception through
where self-esteem is often
accomplishments. idealised portrayals and
derived from fulfilling
constant social
social roles.
comparison.
The Impact of Self-Esteem
High Self-Esteem: Positive Low Self-Esteem: Negative
Consequences Consequences
● Greater initiative and resilience. ● Associated with depression, anxiety, social
● Lower susceptibility to social pressure. withdrawal.
● Higher subjective well-being and optimism. ● Learned helplessness and poor performance.
● Protective against stress and anxiety. ● Greater vulnerability to peer pressure and
conformity.
The Dark Side of High Self-Esteem
While generally beneficial, an
inflated sense of self-esteem
can manifest as narcissism
(Baumeister), leading to
aggression when the ego is
threatened. It can also foster
unrealistic optimism and
risk-taking behaviors,
overlooking potential negative
outcomes.
Self-Esteem and Social Behavior
Attributional Patterns Relationship Dynamics
Self-serving bias: High Low self-esteem correlates
self-esteem individuals more with heightened rejection
likely to attribute success sensitivity and relationship
internally and failure externally insecurity
Prosocial Behaviour
Secure, healthy self-esteem often predicts greater helping
behaviour and reduced aggression
Research by Baron & Branscombe (2012) demonstrates that
self-esteem levels significantly influence conformity, with those having
moderate self-esteem showing optimal social adjustment.
The Double Edged Sword of High Self-Esteem
Benefits
● Greater resilience to setbacks
● Improved initiative and leadership
● Higher subjective well-being
● Better stress management
Potential Pitfalls
● Narcissistic tendencies when excessive
● Reduced receptiveness to feedback
● Unrealistic self-appraisal
● Aggressive responses to ego threats
Clinical Implications of Self-Esteem
Mental Health Conditions Defence Mechanisms Therapeutic Assessment
Low self-esteem strongly Self-handicapping emerges as Evaluating self-esteem
associated with depression, protection against potential crucial for treatment
anxiety, and eating disorders failure (e.g., procrastination) planning and monitoring
progress
Baumeister & Bushman (2008) note that while low self-esteem correlates with psychological
disorders, the causal relationship is often bidirectional and complex.
Research Evidence
Longitudinal studies demonstrate that low self-esteem in adolescence predicts poorer mental health outcomes in adulthood,
with meta-analyses revealing moderate to strong correlations between high self-esteem and life satisfaction (Myers, 2010).
Intervention research shows promising but mixed results, with greater efficacy in therapeutic settings than universal school
programmes.
Thank You! :)
