The Self, Identity, & Personality

Result – Confused Parents

• Encouraged delicate handling of children
• Shielded them from negative emotions, criticism
• Praised kids regardless of what they did

Carol Dweck’s research

Parents often think that helping their kids build self-esteem is done by shielding them from criticism and praising their talents

Protecting kids from hurt, failure, criticism, & disappointment has made them more vulnerable

What Resulted - Behaviors

• Thin skinned undergraduates, defensive when they miss questions or are challenged
• Generation X Goes to College (Peter Sacks)
• Students seem to be incapable of handling negative feedback.
• New hires are asking for raises and promotions almost immediately after being hired.
• When students with high SE are criticized
• Unfriendly, rude, and uncooperative.
• Entitlement regularly cited as an issue in college.

What Failed to Result

[High self-esteem] Isn’t associated with improved grades, career achievement, reduced alcohol usage, lower violent behavior, etc.

Baumeister and colleagues (2003)

Educational Outcomes of the Self-Esteem Movement

Susan Jacoby The Age of American Unreason

Are our students (people) hostile to knowledge?

Self-esteem movement = I’m the smartest kid!

“I’m supposed to be happy!”

Backlash against Self-Esteem

John Hewitt’s

The Myth of Self-Esteem: Finding Happiness and Solving Problems in America

“Why do you feel good about yourself?”

“Because of self-esteem”

Backlash against Self-Esteem

Generation Me

Risk of depression & anxiety higher for young people today

“Our growing tendency to put the self first leads to unparalleled freedom, but it also creates an enormous amount of pressure on us to stand alone.”