Self Esteem

"Self-esteem is a term used in psychology to reflect a person's overall evaluation or appraisal of his or her own worth.

Self-esteem encompasses beliefs (for example, "I am competent-incompetent") and emotions (for example, triumph-despair, pride-shame). Behavior may reflect self-esteem (for example, assertiveness-shyness, confidence-caution).

Psychologists usually regard self-esteem as an enduring personality characteristic (trait self-esteem), though normal, short-term variations (state self-esteem) occur.

Self-esteem can apply specifically to a particular dimension (for example, "I believe I am a good writer, and feel proud of that in particular") or have global extent (for example, "I believe I am a good person, and feel proud of myself in general")."

- Wikipedia

(Note: there is considerably more material on the subject of Self-Esteem available on Wikipedia).

From the above definition, it is evident that Self Esteem:

1. Derives from our Core Beliefs about ourselves ("I am competent - incompetent"),


2. Is strongly tied to our emotional well-being ("I am proud / ashamed of myself"),


3. Is expressed in our behaviour ("assertiveness / shyness", and


4. Ranges from highly specific to global in character

Most importantly, Self Esteem is an "... enduring personality characteristic ..., though normal, short-term ... variations occur."

In the relatively new field of Positive Psychology, specifically, studies of Gratitude Theory, researchers have proposed that individuals have a "Set Point" or level of Happiness based on three factors. We have a genetic predisposition to Happiness, comprising between 40 and 70% of our Set Point. Life circumstance contributes another 10% to our Set-Point of Happniess, leaving approximately 20-50% subject to Intentional Activity (or "Interventions"), affecting our level of Happiness. A variety of active interventions have been proposed for use in order to increase one's level of Happiness.

With regard to Self Esteem, I propose that the major contributor to an analogous Set-Point would be the Core Belief System derived through life experience. (Note: to my knowledge, there are no studies analogous to those undertaken under "Gratitude Theory" pertaining to Self Esteem. I am simply drawing an analogy between a "Core Belief System" with regard to Self Esteem and the "Genetic Component" with regard to "Happiness" as being the predominant control on a "Set-Point"). However, in contrast to a Happiness Set-Point, a Self Esteem Set-Point could be modified by changing aspects of the underlying "Core Belief System".

Your Core Belief System expresses itself in the manner in which you behave in any given situation. If your Core Belief System contains a strong component of assertiveness, you will express that as an assertive individual. Similarly, if you have a weak component of assertiveness, you behave in a shy manner. (Note: this is a very simple example, as one can be assertive in some situations (i.e. a business meeting) and shy in others (i.e. a date). Emotions have a complex set of circumstances to which they respond.) However, if we think back over our lives, we might be able to discern changes in our behaviour as we have matured, as our Core Belief System has been modified as our life circumstances have changed. Much of this change has been passive, the result of living life in a Reactive manner. By engaging life in a Proactive manner, using Affirmations, Mental Programming and/or other techniques, we might consciously effect change on our Core Belief System, in turn producing changes in our behavioural response to a given situation.

The best resource I found on the Internet for a deeper, more thorough investigation of Self Esteem is the workbook at the Centre for Clinical Interventions. (Note: They offer workbooks on a number of other psychological issues or possible interest).

The workbook consists of a total of eight modules which allow you to explore Self Esteem in much greater detail. The modules include:

1. Introduction


2. What is Self-Esteem


3. What is Low Self-Esteem


4. Impact of Low Self-Esteem


5. The Problem of Low Self Esteem


6. What You Can Expect from this Information Package


7. Module Summary


8. About This Module