Self-Esteem The Social Self
The Self A symbol-using social being who can reflect on his or her own behavior The Self As... Knowledge Through Awareness Social An Active Agent
Self-Esteem A cognitive and affective evaluation of the self-concept
Terror Management Theory Self-esteem is psychologically protective by providing us with the feeling of being valuable contributors to a meaningful world CULTURAL STANDARDS INCREASES SELF-ESTEEM = Distal Defense
Self-Esteem is Terror Management
Self as Social Charles Horton Cooley Looking Glass Self
Sociometer Hypothesis Our core motive is to maintain social relationships and avoid exclusion Self-esteem serves as an internal, subjective index used to monitor one’s inclusionary status
Sociometer Hypothesis
Self-Evaluation Maintenance Model Self-Esteem is maintained by ... Self Reflection Identifying with others Social Comparison Accomplishments are evaluated by comparing with others
Social Comparison Upward Comparison Involves comparisons with those better than ourselves Downward Comparison Involves comparisons with those worse than ourselves
SEM Model Closeness Relevance of Task/Accomplishment Certainty The closer you are the stronger the effect of comparison and reflection Relevance of Task/Accomplishment Relevant tasks promote comparison Irrelevant tasks promote reflection Certainty Certainty promotes reflection Uncertainty promotes comparison