Self esteem, deconstructed
"We have found little to indicate that indiscriminately promoting self-esteem in today's children or adults, just for being themselves, offers society any compensatory benefits beyond the seductive pleasure it brings to those engaged in the exercise."So say Roy F. Baumeister, Jennifer D. Campbell, Joachim I. Krueger and Kathleen D. Vohs in this week's Scientific American.
Focusing on skills, rather than feelings, seems a key to self-esteem.
.: Posted by Duane Bidwell on Tuesday, December 21, 2004
Comments:
Interesting study. But do you agree with it? I'm agnostic -- maybe one day if I have a kid I'll actually make up my mind.
Certainly with the undergrads I teach, I try very hard to stay on the line between needlessly hurting their feelings on the one hand, and needlessly flattering them on the other. Since it is so hard to get it right 100 % of the time, it might be said that it is better to err (even if ineffectually) on the 'nice' side.
Odd coincidence that the movie "The Incredibles" has a similar message!
Certainly with the undergrads I teach, I try very hard to stay on the line between needlessly hurting their feelings on the one hand, and needlessly flattering them on the other. Since it is so hard to get it right 100 % of the time, it might be said that it is better to err (even if ineffectually) on the 'nice' side.
Odd coincidence that the movie "The Incredibles" has a similar message!
Yes, I agree that a focus on "feeling good about yourself" is less helpful than pointing out specific traits, behaviors, skills, and abilities that give people a foundation for knowing themselves well--strengths and limitations.
"Grace," of course, accepts us for what we are *and* what we can become. But grace and the promotion of self esteem are not the same things, eh?
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"Grace," of course, accepts us for what we are *and* what we can become. But grace and the promotion of self esteem are not the same things, eh?