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Bursting the Self-Esteem Bubble
December 30, 2008
A good name will shine forever.
-Proverb
-Proverb
People with high self-esteem may be more of a threat to society than those with a lower sense of self-worth. Controversial study findings by Nicholas Emler, Ph.D. from the London School of Economics, reported in Psychology Today (March/April 2002) indicate that people with high self-esteem are more likely to be racist, violent and criminal. Emler reviewed seminal research on self-esteem as well as hundreds of study abstracts before concluding that low self-esteem increases the risk of eating disorders, suicide and depression, but it is not a factor in delinquency or substance abuse, nor is it a risk factor for poor academic performance.
Emler found that people with high self-esteem may have an unrealistic sense of themselves. "They expect to do well at things, discount failure, and feel beyond reproach." High self-esteem seems most dangerous when it colors racial and ethnic tolerance. "People with incredibly positive views of themselves feel anybody who differs from them is an insult," explains Emler. "They just don't like people who are different."
The 16-page Beginnings Workshops from Exchange, which are on sale this week, frequently address social development issues:
- Sensory Integration
- Thinking
- School Readiness
- Building Self-Image
- Special Needs: Meeting the Needs of the Children
- Meeting Children's Needs
- Brain Research
- Applying Brain Research
- Fitness and Health
- Humor
- Power Struggles
- Anger
- Imagination
- Children's Mental Health
- Gender Issues
- Building Character
- Nurturing Optimism
- Positive Behavior Strategies
- Art
- Meaningful Work
- Food and Young Children
- Motivation
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Comments (17)
Displaying 5 of 17 Comments [ View all ]PACER Parenting
Dublin, Co Dublin, Ireland
I wonder how the author measures self esteem and whether this is confused with self confidence? Jesper Juul's model of Self Esteem (Your Competent Child) gives a helpful model. Self esteem is described as a three legged 'stool' with each leg being of equal importance. - competence, belonging, worth.
United States
I've always believed that what we want for all children (and adults) is that they have a feeling of self worth. The belief that they are worthy people...thus helping them become resilient. Whether self esteem or self worth, the issue is how adults believe it is attained and the role they play. Unfortunately too many still believe in empty praise and over praising children. John Holt said that what children really want is our sincere attention, not empty praise. I agree.
United States
The self-esteem issue for young children has been overplayed for years. Only if children have come from a background of abuse, they have a very high level of self esteem. Catering to boosting a child's "self-esteem" usually leads to spoiling and an overexaggerated sense of self-worth. Now research proves it.
Buffalo Museum of Science
United States
"Sorry Johnny, you are thinking too positively about yourself today, I need to tell you you're fat and no one likes you. You'll thank me later when you don't grow up to be a criminal and racist, just suicidal."
Only 1 in 10 thoughts about yourself is positive, the few of us who have more positive thoughts also tend to be leaders and take chances because they have a healthy attitude, may that lead to taking chance with crime too? Maybe, but does that mean we should stop what we are doing?
Neillsville, WI, United States
One last thought - the article also states that high self-esteem MAY lead to the problems listed. It doesn't have to, if balanced with respect for others.
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