The Trouble with Self-Esteem - Essay Example

 Lauren Slater in her article The Trouble with Self-Esteem tries to make a reply with an examination of various scientists’ controversial views.

It is relevant to say that there is no common and sole opinion concerning the correlation between self-esteem and felonies. Due to David Long in most cases terrorists and bandits keep a feeling of great dissatisfaction deep inside. Therefore, when culprits break a law, they attempt to compensate own worthlessness with a help of “significant” actions, so “the less confidence you have, the worse you do” (qtd. in Slater 44). In contrast to that point of view, Nicholas Emler believes that “there is no evidence that low self-esteem is particularly harmful” (qtd. in Slater 44). Moreover, there is an assumption that people with low self-esteem do much better in life and achieve more than people with high self-esteem. On the one part, it really makes sense. A person with low self-esteem will always try harder, because of his own farfetched inability and weakness to do something properly. And a person with high self-esteem will be more passive, falsely believing that everything is possible and achievable for him. But on the other hand, these examples may be scrutinized differently. Thus, not sure of their own strength person may be so confident in his inevitable failure that his diligence will be scanty, and afterward, his achievements in life will be inconsiderable because of what kind of attitude and mood you have, that kind of result you are going to get.

Some educated therapists, including Stephen Keane, firmly assert that those people who display violence and abuse contain inner shame, which pushes them to manifestation. That happens because they are sure of their own inability to get a better life and attain cherished goals. This idea has got further development and reached new conclusions with a help of Roy Baumeister, a researcher at Case Western Reserve University. He conjectures that only hidden low self-esteem manages to affect human behavior unfavorably, meanwhile, overt self-esteem does not cause aggression and assaults. Although Lauren Slater criticizes Baumeister’s point, I find his deductions quite logical and full of sense. Indeed, overt low self-esteem always keeps a person in perpetual uncertainty. That is why it makes useless to expect tremendous meaningful deeds from this particular individual. Such a person does not have much respect for his or her own personality. Consequently, a negative attitude will hamper changing anything in life, a fortiori, to commit a crime. In contrast to that, covert low self-esteem will create just an illusion of confidence, persistence, and respect, deluding surrounding people and compelling them to believe in this person’s worth. Afterward, incorrectly deciphered images along with concealment may push a person for violence. Because of the presence of a two-faced attitude, it is rather hard to imitate self-respect constantly. Soon or later person’s secretiveness will influence their state of mind negatively which may lead to serious irreparable consequences.

Lauren Slater in her article concludes that “as researchers are saying, pride really is dangerous, and too few of us know how to be humble” (Slater 46). However, the main gist of psychology and psychiatry, in Slater’s view, is based on the notion of self-esteem. Being the “cultural retailers” of the self-concept, mental health professionals’ initial task is to increase self-esteem. Indeed, if psychologists and psychiatrists try to diminish self-esteem beliefs then there will be few patients in need of their treatment. Despite various attempts to move aside the idea of self-esteem in different cultures, it is relevant to say that with a help of mentioned concept mental health professionals can create a successful marketing situation.

In my opinion, self-esteem beliefs should be advocated further, compelling people to analyze themselves and correct their own attitudes later on. Moreover, to be able to assess and edit yourself there must be self-appraisal, which stands before self-control and allows you to see all weaknesses and strengths distinctively before any changes. The efficiency of Slater’s work consists of the fact that stated research induces one to reflect about own notion and due to it define aspects that should be altered. Self-assessment can help a person to make changes in behavior and enhance self-esteem that will bring real achievement and happiness to his life.