Finally!! A major study by an expert in self esteem commissioned by the American Psychological Society to study the benefits of self-esteem, and the finding is “disappointing.” Professor Roy F. Baumeister of Florida State writes in the Tuesday Opinion Section of the Los Angeles Times:
1. Does not produce better grades
2. Does not produce better work habits or quality
3. Does not result in more friends or better relationships
4. Does not produce better leaders
5. Does not keep people from becoming bullies
6. Does not keep people from cheating, stealing or experimenting with sex or drugs
Other findings suggested that
1. Humility was better predictor for leadership
2. Kids told to suck it up were more likely to get better grades
Some benefits may be that those with self-esteem are happier, bounce back from problems faster, and exhibit more initiative. It is not clear that these benefits can be derived from trying to build self-esteem. It may be that these individuals think well of themselves because they are predisposed to, or that they are actually doing well.
The author suggests discipline and self control are more likely to produce the results that the self-esteem movement only promised, but didn’t deliver.
In an e-mail exchange with the professor, I suggested that unconditional love resulting in feelings of being valued or having worth might also produce the results that the self-esteem folks hoped for. The only source of such unconditional love is God. He responded: “ as for feeling valued rather than esteemed, this is an interesting distinction i had not thought about. boosting self-esteem for its own sake probably contributes to narcissism, and the christians among my friends seem refreshingly immune to becoming narcissistic, so they must be doing something right!”
Once again the Bible of the ages trumps the scientists of our times.
Saturday, January 29, 2005
Study - Self Esteem Not So Esteemed
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4 comments:
Great. I was really hoping I would have the opportunity to tell my offspring on a daily basis they suck without being flogged as some sort of child abuser.
Your user name suggests that I need to be careful as to how to take your comment. It is pretty witty on its face. Is there more to your commentary?
Nope. That's it. I don't think I ever post a comment that isn't a joke so take them as just that.
Nice to meet ya.
I wanted to wait a few days before responding to your post to see if others would join in.
I was a big fan of the self-esteem movement in my teens and twenties. As a salesman, I read every book on the subject.
As time went by, however, it became clear to me that telling somebody they're great at something when they are not, or failing to confront in love when they're doing something poorly is not good parenting, teaching, or managing.
Of course, I agree with you, that some systems and cultures take an approach that is potentially debilitating in the other direction. That isn't my cup of tea, either.
Interesting, though, how humans are capable of thriving even when they are in very poor surroundings.
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