Define Self-Esteem, Including Contingencies of Self-Worth

Definitions Jennifer Crandall PSY/220 November 17, 2012 prof Sheats Definitions Define self-esteem, including contingencies of self-worth. When mightiness the pursuit of self-esteem be harmful to individuals? When might threats to self-esteem be functionful? Self-Esteem refers to the evaluative comp hotshotnt of self-concept ( Baumeister, 1998 Coopersmith, 1967). This is the feelings that one gets when doing self-evaluations.It is how a person sees themselves and judges themselves. The contingencies of self-worth may be a genial view of themselves, thinking that they are competent, likable, attractive and successful may help them to believe they are worthy and increase levels of self-esteem. Self-esteem may to a fault be influenced by the expectations of others. The approval of others is one example of the contingencies of self-esteem.Other examples of the contingencies of self-esteem are appearance, competition, academic competence, family support, virtue and Gods love. There i s a darker aspect to self-esteem, people that constantly pursue elevated levels of self-esteem have traits that are similar to those that are associated with materialism. People that make choices based on others perceptions of them sort of than what makes they happy are depriving themselves of well-being.They give up their own autonomy, intrinsic motivation, and in person expressive actions. Threats to self-esteem can also be helpful. While put through threats to self-esteem people may learn to come up with demote coping skills than they may have previously possessed. By experiencing these threats, they learn to pass over obstacles in turn, they may actually boost their self-esteem by learning that they are capable of overcoming these challenges.