Self-Esteem & Emotions
Learning Log Name 3 or more mental challenges that you face everyday in school. e.g. Low test score Failing to make a sports team
Self Esteem Refers to how much you respect and like yourself High self-esteem Accept themselves Realize strengths and weaknesses Maintain positive attitude Low self-esteem Don’t respect themselves Judge themselves harshly Worry about what others think of them
Self-Esteem trends Child Increases through achievement Decreases through lack of parenthood Adolescence Very unstable! Usually decrease in early adolescence and then begins to increase (Why?) Adulthood Increases as adults begin to accomplish their goals End of life Usually decreases Show graph in book Get together and explain graphs
Learning Log Some psychologists think that high self-esteem has a positive effect on health, while low self-esteem has a negative effect on health. Why do you think?
Improving Self-Esteem Focus on your strengths (no comparisons) Set ambitious but realistic goals Do not be too hard on yourself Choose friends who share your values, support you, and encourage you to do your best Learn to accept compliments Serve others and look beyond yourself Do not focus much on appearance
Maslow’s Pyramid
Learning Log Make a list of your strengths and weaknesses (at least 2 for each) Think of a sad time in your life. How did you feel? How did you respond to that sadness?
Expressing Emotions Emotion-reaction to a situation that involves your mind, body, and/or behavior Primary emotions Happiness Response to pleasant events in life Sadness Response to disappointing events Anger Feeling frustrated or helpless Fear Threat to your safety or security
Expressing Emotions Learned emotions Love Most positive emotion Expressed through Caring words Touch Thoughtful actions
Expressing Emotions Learned emotions cont. Guilt Know you have done something wrong Helpful if it stops you from making a mistake Shame Focuses on person rather than action Harmful because it lowers self-esteem Less likely to correct the bad situation
Recognizing Emotions Name emotion What triggered emotion Past experiences of same emotion
Common Coping Mechanisms Denial- refusing to recognize a problem Compensation- making up for a weakness in one area by excelling in another Rationalization- making excuses Reaction Formation- behaving the opposite way to how you feel Projection- putting your faults on someone else Regression- behaving immaturely
Coping Ways to cope Confront head on- take action Release your built up energy- Get active Take a break- relax or distract yourself Talk through your feelings Ways not to cope Drugs Alcohol Withdrawing from friends and family
Learning Log Knowing what you know now, how do you cope with your emotions?