According to social psychological research, which factors affect self-esteem?
How people regard themselves and evaluate their self-worth or self-esteem differs from one individual to the next. However, there are multiple factors that might affect an individual’s self-esteem, these factors can include domestic treatment, group treatment and even the media. It can be hypothesized that one factor might affect self-esteem more significantly than the others.
Social psychologists have seemed to agree that the social environment (while it does have its affects) has a minor influence on self-esteem. According to Schmitz, (2006) how children are treated domestically will have a significant influence on the development or lack thereof of self-esteem. Furthermore, other studies seem to also share similar conclusions; Belobrykin, (2003) conducted a study that explored self-esteem and its influencers, it was concluded that teachers and parents are the main influencers of self-esteem. Teachers and parents are both seen as authoritative figures, as well as much more knowledgeable. Therefore, how they treated children, especially during developmental stages will have a psychological effect. Although social influences might have an affect it can be inferred that the main influencers are authoritative figures due to how children might seek acceptance and validation. Hence forth if the child does not get what they intend as stated formerly it will affect them negatively.
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However, through the excess of information and communication in the modern age, a large emphasis is placed on the media and its role in affecting self-esteem. Although, the media does play a role in affecting self-esteem, according to Fernandez and Pritchard, (2012) social media influences how both men and women should look. However, although the media seemed to have the greatest effect, for women social pressure also affected self-esteem and for men it was internalization. Therefore, it can be assumed that social media simply acts upon people’s already existing self-esteem issues and that there is a different criterion such as social norms and standards or group treatment combined with how a person might view themselves to be.
Self-esteem issues have always existed long before the media, however, it can be stated that the media is simply a catalyst that increases or aids in increasing low self-esteem. The media affects self-esteem though indirectly. For instance, how people perceive themselves versus how they want to be perceived, to elaborate further what people place on social media is what they want you to perceive them. Zuckerman, Li and Hall, (2016) conducted an experiment that explored what affects self-esteem between different genders. The research concluded that gender differences do not play a role in self-esteem, though it appears that these issues were more present in developed countries than in under-developed countries. This can be due to how more developed countries are characterized by values of equality or freedom, which in turn can affect how people perceive they should be treated versus how they are actually treated. Furthermore, other studies have also stated that how individuals perceive themselves also affects how they are aided in social situations, which can also affect self-esteem further. This implies that how people are treated can affect perception (Marshall, Parker, Ciarrochi, & Heaven, 2013).
In conclusion, self-esteem is not affected by just a single stimulus, however according to psychologists the main influence on self-esteem is domestic treatment in developmental stages of the child as it affects self-esteem on the long-term. Therefore, it is an individuals perception of what others might think of them which highly affect self-esteem. Furthermore, the media does not act a direct influencer of self-esteem, it is however an indirect cause of self-esteem issues. This is apparent as this issue is more present in highly developed countries.
References
Belobrykina, O. (2003). The Influence of the Social Environment on the Development of Older Preschoolers’ Self-Esteem. Russian Education & Society, 45(5), 57-69. http://dx.doi.org/10.2753/res1060-9393450557
Fernandez, S. & Pritchard, M. (2012). Relationships between self-esteem, media influence and drive for thinness. Eating Behaviors, 13(4), 321-325. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.eatbeh.2012.05.004
Schmitz, M. (2006). Influence of Social and Family Contexts on Self-Esteem of Latino Youth. Hispanic Journal Of Behavioral Sciences, 28(4), 516-530. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0739986306293999
Shin, Y., Kim, M., Im, C., & Chong, S. (2017). Selfie and self: The effect of selfies on self-esteem and social sensitivity. Personality And Individual Differences, 111, 139-145. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2017.02.004
Zuckerman, M., Li, C., & Hall, J. (2016). When men and women differ in self-esteem and when they don’t: A meta-analysis. Journal Of Research In Personality, 64, 34-51. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jrp.2016.07.007
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