Self-Esteem

Carl Rogers - 1902-1987 - psychologist who helped found the humanistic approach to psychology

Unconditional Positive Regard

Need for PR, to be loved, prized, valued, becomes the most potent in developing person.

Parents can provide unconditional positive regard or conditional positive regard

Parents and community place CONDITIONS of WORTH on those behaviors that lead to PR.

People’s Self Concept then begins to mirror the way people give out PR ----- Self-regard

Distortion

Distortion leads to INCONGRUENCE Discrepancy in Self vs. Experience

Leads person to be more “fractured” than whole and distorts what people see as a worthy avenue of actualization

Symptoms = a “need to please” approach; low self esteem; depressive thoughts; drug abuse

Self-Esteem

Research - H.S. and college students have higher self-esteem if romantic partners, friends possess characteristics of unconditional acceptance, empathy, and congruence

In psychology, congruence could be defined as rapport within oneself, or internal and external consistency, perceived by others as sincerity or certainty.

Self-Esteem

Self-esteem reaches a low point for 12 and 13 year olds. Why?

They compare themselves to their peers (greater inequality)

Hormonal changesIncongruity with how they see themselves

and how others perceive them – an awareness of this

Reading up to page 292 – ch 10

Questions p 292 – ch 10: questions 1-3