The Various Definitions Of Self
Esteem
Self esteem may be a simple enough word but there are many
varying definitions to it. Almost all definitions have
something to do with how an individual sees himself. There are
many factors that affect one's self esteem and all these
factors are connected to one's success and failures in life as
well as the regard that one has for himself depending on those
success and failures. This regard for one's self can be also be
based on emotions and belief and can affect one's behavior.
There may be two different kinds of needs with regards to self
esteem. Both needs have something to do with respect but one is
respect from other people and the other need is for self
respect. These are said to fuel one's esteem and affect how an
individual sees himself.
Definition Number 1
Self esteem has been defined as a state of an individual's
behavior based on his successes and failures. This definition
is somewhat loose because it implies that self esteem is
temporary and dependent on the current state of a person. If
one is successful, he has self worth but when he fails he does
not have it.
Definition Number 2
Another definition of self esteem is self worth that is stable
and built through the years. This definition implies that an
individual has self esteem basing on the fact that he has the
competency to face life's challenges and difficulties. This
shows that self esteem is inherent in one person and can not
easily be taken away by mere failures. The person vies himself
as someone with worth due to his accumulated success and even
by his failures.
Measuring Self Esteem
We have definitive ways of finding out just how much self
esteem one has. Two tests are currently being used to see how
much self worth or self regard a person has. These tests are
written tests, namely Rosenberg and Coopersmith Self Esteem
Tests. Both tests have questions that probe one's self worth
but while the Rosenberg tests has just around ten questions,
the Coopersmith one has over 50 questions.
People with low self esteem suffer from it as well as those who
have high regard or belief for themselves. Having low regard
for oneself reeks of low confidence and insecurity while high
self esteem may be having too much self confidence. Contrary to
popular belief that one can easily change the state of his
esteem, this may be difficult especially if the individual is
used to it.
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