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Related Concept Videos

Social Foundations of Self III: Self-Evaluation01:30

Social Foundations of Self III: Self-Evaluation

247
Self-evaluation is the process by which individuals assess their abilities, behaviors, and characteristics based on feedback from others. Charles H. Cooley observed that a person’s self-perception is primarily influenced by how others see and judge them. He suggested that individuals form their identities based on their interpretations of others' reactions. As a result, social interactions play a crucial role in shaping self-esteem and personal identity. These external evaluations often...
247
Strategies of Self-Presentation II: Self-Verification01:17

Strategies of Self-Presentation II: Self-Verification

256
Self-verification is a fundamental psychological drive wherein individuals seek affirmation of their self-concept from others, striving for consistency between their internal self-view and external perceptions. This drive operates even when the self-concept is negative, influencing interpersonal behavior and feedback preferences in complex and often counterintuitive ways. Unlike the self-enhancement motive, which seeks positive evaluations, self-verification prioritizes coherence and...
256
Sources of Self-Esteem I: Family Experience01:18

Sources of Self-Esteem I: Family Experience

237
Self-esteem, a crucial component of psychological development, is significantly shaped by familial experiences. The early parent-child relationship serves as a foundational influence on a child's self-concept, with long-lasting effects extending into adolescence and adulthood.Parental Behaviors and Early Self-Esteem FormationEmpirical studies have identified four principal parental behaviors that foster healthy self-esteem in children. These include expressions of acceptance, affection, and...
237
Sources of Self-Esteem III: Social Comparison01:27

Sources of Self-Esteem III: Social Comparison

351
Social comparison plays a fundamental role in the evaluation of personal success and self-worth. Rather than assessing our achievements in isolation, we interpret their significance relative to personal goals and critically in comparison to the performance of others. A grade of B in a mathematics exam might elicit pride if one's expectation was a C, yet result in disappointment if an A was anticipated or if peers achieved superior results. These comparative evaluations illustrate how both...
351
Need for Self-Esteem01:27

Need for Self-Esteem

275
The human need for self-esteem has long intrigued psychologists, leading to the development of several theories that explore its evolutionary and functional significance. Among the most influential are the sociometer, hierometer, and terror management theories. Each offers a unique perspective on why people strive for self-worth and how it shapes behavior and social interaction.Sociometer TheoryAccording to sociometer theory, self-esteem functions as an internal gauge of social acceptance. It...
275
Self-Evaluation: Self-Enhancement and Self-Verification03:00

Self-Evaluation: Self-Enhancement and Self-Verification

5.9K
Social psychologists have documented that feeling good about ourselves and maintaining positive self-esteem is a powerful motivator of human behavior (Tavris & Aronson, 2008). In the United States, members of the predominant culture typically think very highly of themselves and view themselves as good people who are above average on many desirable traits (Ehrlinger, Gilovich, & Ross, 2005). Often, our behavior, attitudes, and beliefs are affected when we experience a threat to our...
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 23, 2026

Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Hyperscanning Study in Psychological Counseling
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Significant others and self-esteem: methods for determining who and why.

A M Juhasz1

  • 1Loyola University of Chicago, Illinois 60611.

Adolescence
|January 1, 1989
PubMed
Summary

Children and youths identify specific behaviors from significant others that influence their self-esteem. This research explores how adults can leverage these insights to positively impact child development and self-worth.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Psychology
  • Social Psychology
  • Child Development

Background:

  • Early research by Cooley (1912) highlighted the role of significant others in self-esteem development.
  • Subsequent studies identified parents and peers as key figures, but often relied on researcher assumptions about significance.
  • A gap exists in understanding children's perspectives on what confers significance.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore children's and youths' perspectives on behaviors that establish significance with others.
  • To identify verbal and nonverbal actions that contribute to an individual's sense of self-worth.
  • To provide a foundation for adults to better influence children's self-esteem.

Main Methods:

  • A qualitative methodology involving direct questioning of children and youths.

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The Social Dimension of Stress: Experimental Manipulations of Social Support and Social Identity in the Trier Social Stress Test
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  • Exploration of responses across diverse age groups, cultures, and ethnic backgrounds.
  • Categorization of data based on the source of significance, specific behaviors, impact on self-esteem, and reactions to feedback.

    • Main Results:

    • Qualitatively rich data were gathered, demonstrating the methodology's effectiveness across diverse groups.
    • Responses provided meaningful insights into who is perceived as significant and why.
    • The impact of significant others' actions on self-esteem and subsequent reactions were clearly articulated.

    Conclusions:

    • The exploratory methodology successfully elicits valuable information directly from children and youths.
    • Adults can utilize these findings to significantly influence children's self-esteem.
    • The study opens avenues for future research into the dynamics of self-esteem formation.