High Self Esteem Essay
‘It is good for a person to have a high level of self-esteem.’ Critically discuss.
Self-esteem has captivated the interest of psychological researchers and the whole of society. “This academic preoccupation is substantially matched by interest among the public at large, and not just among those people, doctors, teachers and social workers who might be expected to show a professional interest in the human psyche. In their everyday lives people routinely treat the notion of self-esteem as an intelligible basis for explaining their own difficulties or other’s failings.” (Emler 2001) High self-esteem is seen as something that every individual should aspire to as much as the desire to be healthy or successful. High self-esteem is judged to be good for all.
This essay will consider what is self-esteem, examining the theories and empirical evidence in support thereof. Thereafter coming to a conclusion.
High self-esteem refers to the way in which individuals view their value and importance. By doing so they ensure that they are kept safe and healthy. They accept imperfections and are content with their achievements, feelings and self, and are comfortable ‘within their skin’. As such self-esteem involves assessment of good and bad things about the self. It is a widely held concept that individuals with high levels of self-esteem are thought to be psychologically happy and healthy (Branden 1994). As opposed to individuals suffering low self-esteem who are believed to be psychologically distressed and depressed (Tennen & Affleck 1993).
Having a high level of self-esteem purportedly allow individuals to deal more effectively with setbacks and negative attitudes. There are some negative consequences connected to high levels of self-esteem however most individuals appear to have happy and meaningful lives as opposed to individuals with low self-esteem who have negative views of
Self-esteem has captivated the interest of psychological researchers and the whole of society. “This academic preoccupation is substantially matched by interest among the public at large, and not just among those people, doctors, teachers and social workers who might be expected to show a professional interest in the human psyche. In their everyday lives people routinely treat the notion of self-esteem as an intelligible basis for explaining their own difficulties or other’s failings.” (Emler 2001) High self-esteem is seen as something that every individual should aspire to as much as the desire to be healthy or successful. High self-esteem is judged to be good for all.
This essay will consider what is self-esteem, examining the theories and empirical evidence in support thereof. Thereafter coming to a conclusion.
High self-esteem refers to the way in which individuals view their value and importance. By doing so they ensure that they are kept safe and healthy. They accept imperfections and are content with their achievements, feelings and self, and are comfortable ‘within their skin’. As such self-esteem involves assessment of good and bad things about the self. It is a widely held concept that individuals with high levels of self-esteem are thought to be psychologically happy and healthy (Branden 1994). As opposed to individuals suffering low self-esteem who are believed to be psychologically distressed and depressed (Tennen & Affleck 1993).
Having a high level of self-esteem purportedly allow individuals to deal more effectively with setbacks and negative attitudes. There are some negative consequences connected to high levels of self-esteem however most individuals appear to have happy and meaningful lives as opposed to individuals with low self-esteem who have negative views of
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