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The Various Definitions Of Self Esteem
 by Lubie


Self esteem may be a simple enough word but there are many varying definitions to it. Almost all definitions have something to do with how an individual sees himself. There are many factors that affect one's self esteem and all these factors are connected to one's success and failures in life as well as the regard that one has for himself depending on those success and failures. This regard for one's self can be also be based on emotions and belief and can affect one's behavior.

There may be two different kinds of needs with regards to self esteem. Both needs have something to do with respect but one is respect from other people and the other need is for self respect. These are said to fuel one's esteem and affect how an individual sees himself.

Definition Number 1

Self esteem has been defined as a state of an individual's behavior based on his successes and failures. This definition is somewhat loose because it implies that self esteem is temporary and dependent on the current state of a person. If one is successful, he has self worth but when he fails he does not have it.

Definition Number 2

Another definition of self esteem is self worth that is stable and built through the years. This definition implies that an individual has self esteem basing on the fact that he has the competency to face life's challenges and difficulties. This shows that self esteem is inherent in one person and can not easily be taken away by mere failures. The person vies himself as someone with worth due to his accumulated success and even by his failures.

Measuring Self Esteem

We have definitive ways of finding out just how much self esteem one has. Two tests are currently being used to see how much self worth or self regard a person has. These tests are written tests, namely Rosenberg and Coopersmith Self Esteem Tests. Both tests have questions that probe one's self worth but while the Rosenberg tests has just around ten questions, the Coopersmith one has over 50 questions.

People with low self esteem suffer from it as well as those who have high regard or belief for themselves. Having low regard for oneself reeks of low confidence and insecurity while high self esteem may be having too much self confidence. Contrary to popular belief that one can easily change the state of his esteem, this may be difficult especially if the individual is used to it.