Additions to the Lecture on

The Self
 Contingencies of Self-Worth (CSW):
Only some domain-specific self-evaluations are
important to overall self-worth.
Self-esteem is contingent on domains in which
any perceived successes or failures determine
ones self-value (Crocker & Wolfe, 2001).
People differ in the contingencies on which they
base their self-esteem.
In 2001, Crocker and Internal
Wolfe identified seven Family love and support
contingencies of self- Being a virtuous or
worth which can be moral person
divided into internal and God's love
external sources. External
Others' approval
Physical appearance
Outdoing others in
competition
Academic competence
Example questions from the CSW Scale
When I think I look attractive, I feel good about
myself.
I feel worthwhile when I perform better than
others on a task or skill.
I dont care if other people have a negative
opinion about me.
Knowing that my family members love me makes
me feel good about myself.
I feel worthwhile when I have Gods love.
I cant respect myself if others dont respect me.
Higher levels of external contingencies
of self-worth PREDICT
high depressive symptoms among college
students in their first year,
more susceptibility to develop substance
abuse.
(among participants who reported a recent
breakup) greater emotional distress and
obsessive pursuit of their ex-partners
 Result
Previous research shows that external domains
are more reliant on others evaluations than
ones own evaluations, and are therefore more
vulnerable to threat.
 Self-Esteem and Depression
Low self-esteem people are more prone to
depression.
Vulnerable to social pressure
Heightened judgmentalism
Feels insecure
Disrespect self
Pessimistic
Narcissistic people have high levels of self-
esteem but not all people with high self-esteem
are narcissistic.
Narcissism vs. High Self-esteem

Lisa Firestone, PhD