The Self, Identity, & Personality

Self-Esteem: What is it?

• Influenced by the reactions of others
• Generalized other, great ubiquitous “they”
• People are susceptible to flattery
• It is tougher to accept criticism
• Basis for conformity

Self-Esteem: What is it?

• Self-serving bias
• Overrate ourselves
• Blame our failures
• Claim our victories
• As a rule, only depressed people truly have low self-esteem

The Self-Esteem Movement

Thank you to Dr. Tracey Zinn, on whose conference presentation this section is based.

What’s the problem?

“

The Self-Esteem Movement

Propagated primarily in the educational system

Curricula aimed at increasing students’ self-esteem

Affects Everyone born after 1970…

Focus has been on increasing self-esteem that is not rooted in reality

Researchers now suggesting that students need to be able to identify their talents

The Psychology of Self-Esteem Branden (1969)

What Was Taught

“Keep your head up, feel good about yourself”

but not “take responsibility for your work”.

Forsyth et al (2007)

“You can do anything!”

No use of the word “failure”

Everyone got all As in HS, doing little work

Unrealistic expectations of success

Students report being bored in class

What Resulted

What Resulted: Attitudes

• “Being happy is the most important thing”
• We should always feel good about ourselves
• Increase in narcissism (debated)
• Don’t say “I’m a good soccer player” (Just say “I’m good.”)

What Resulted: Attitudes

Carol Dweck’s research

Effort is considered a sign of stupidity

When children are told that they are smart, they choose an easier task.

Panic when they are challenged or

think they are engaging in “a lot of effort”.