Research and theory on self-esteem have flourished in recent years, resulting in multiple perspectives on a wide range of fundamental self-esteem issues. The purpose of this book is to provide a comprehensive picture of the current state of knowledge regarding the nature of self-esteem and its role in individual and interpersonal functioning. The contributors comprise an elite group of psychologists and sociologists who have made important contributions to our understanding of self-esteem. I asked each contributor to provide a brief answer to a given question using his or her own research and theoretical perspective as well as other relevant literature. I also asked each author to make a strong case for his or her position without being highly critical of other positions.
I hope that readers will share my great enthusiasm for the essays contained in this volume and come away with a deeper appreciation for the complex, but important, role that self-esteem plays in the human condition. I believe that the broad scope of the essays strongly attests to the current vitality of the field and bodes very well for the future of self-esteem research and theory. A perusal of both academic and lay publications reveals that self-esteem issues are pertinent to researchers, students, educators, parents, clinicians, policy makers, organizational consultants, human relations officers, and so forth. Thus, individuals from many occupations should find much of interest in this compendium of current self-esteem research and theory.
The book is organized into five major sections: (i) Conceptualizing and assessing self-esteem; (ii) Development and determinants of self-esteem; (iii) Self-esteem and psychological functioning; (iv) Self-esteem in social context; and (v) Future directions. Here I briefly describe the sets of essays that comprise each section. In the volume itself, I begin each set by presenting the question that authors answered and summarizing briefly the contents of each essay.
Section I: Conceptualizing and Assessing Self-Esteem
The essays in this section focus on fundamental issues pertaining to conceptualizing and measuring self-esteem. The book starts with two sets of essays that address the definition of self-esteem (Brown & Marshall; Mruk; Marsh, Craven, & Martin) and its convergent and divergent validity (O’Brien, Bartoletti, Leitzel, & O’Brien; Suis; Nezlek). Following examination of these basic issues, essays then tackle the controversial concept of nonconscious self-esteem (Bosson; Jordan, Logel, Spencer, & Zanna; Epstein) and the assessment of stability of self-esteem and contingent self-esteem (Kernis & Goldman). Other sets of essays in this section examine critical issues pertaining to the use of self-report and nonreactive selfesteem measures (Bosson; Koestner & Mageau; Karpinski & Steinberg; Tafarodi & Ho), and how best to characterize optimal self-esteem (Crocker; Ryan & Brown; Goldman).
Section II: Development and Determinants of Self-Esteem
The essays in this section focus on change and development in self-esteem. As a group, they address a number of fundamental issues and present some practical solutions to cultivating healthy self-esteem among children and adolescents. The section begins with a set of essays that focuses on developmental processes associated with the emergence of self-esteem (Harter; Kaplan; Hart, Atkins, & Tursi). The next set of essays focuses on the efficacy of self-initiated efforts and structured intervention programs to modify self-esteem (Mruk; Tevendale & DuBois; Vonk). The remaining sets of essays in this section focus on the extent to which intrapersonal or interpersonal processes influence self-esteem (Moller, Friedman, & Deci; Leary; Swann & Seyle), the interplay of self-knowledge and self-esteem (Hoyle; Showers & Zeigler-Hill; Brandt & Vonk), and the roles of parents and teachers in cultivating optimal self-esteem among their charges (Grolnick & Beiswenger; Branden; Covington).
Section III: Self-Esteem and Psychological Functioning
The essays in this section are wide in scope and implications. The first set examines the degree to which self-esteem is central to psychological functioning and wellbeing (Solomon; Koch; Tesser & Martin), while the second set addresses the costs and benefits of possessing and striving for high self-esteem (Crocker; Rhodewalt; Wood, Anthony, & Foddis). The remaining two sets of essays examine the critical role that self-esteem plays in psychological disorders and therapeutic settings (Roberts; O’Brien, Bartoletti, & Leitzel; DeHart & Tennen), and the evolutionary significance of self-esteem (Hill & Buss; Kirkpatrick & Ellis; Campbell & Foster).
Section IV: Self-Esteem in Social Context
The essays in this section focus explicitly on the social and cultural implications of self-esteem. The first set of essays examines self-esteem dynamics within close relationships (Murray; Baldwin; Berenson & Downey). Others focus on the interface between self-esteem and culture (Kitayama; Sedikides & Gaertner; Twenge) and the role that self-esteem plays in society’s ills and triumphs (Owens & McDavitt; Pyszczynski; Tice & Gailliot).
Section V: Future Directions
The essays in this section focus on the most pressing issues facing researchers, parents, teachers, and therapists (Leary; Harter; Branden). They are essential reading for those interested in critical issues facing researchers and practitioners.
Acknowledgments
The success of a book of this scope typically requires the skills and efforts of a large number of people who contribute in various ways, and such was the case with this book. I want to thank Paul Dukes at Psychology Press for his unwavering support throughout the publication process. Without his patience and support this project would never have come to fruition. I am also grateful to Nicola Ravenscroft at Psychology Press for her patience and expertise in guiding the book throughout the entire production process. In addition, I would like to thank Pam Riddle for her heroic efforts doing the correspondence with contributors and publishers, proofing the manuscript, etc., and, especially, for keeping me organized and on track. I am very fortunate to have a secretary who was so devoted to the success of this project. I also want to thank my current graduate students (Chad, Whitney, Patti, and Ted) who worked especially hard to keep the lab running successfully during those times when I was working on this book. Thanks also are due to the National Science Foundation and to the Psychology Department and the Institute for Behavioral Research at the University of Georgia for providing funds and resources that greatly facilitated our self-esteem research and the completion of this book. Importantly, I thank all the contributors to this volume, every one of whom enthusiastically and in a timely manner completed their essays. I am very grateful that such a stellar group of scholars agreed to work on the project and that all readily focused their essays on the questions posed to them. On a more personal note, I am very grateful to my friends and family, especially David Kritt, Sandy Rizen, Linda Kerr, Evelyn Pressman, and Janet Sundquist for their love and support. Finally, but certainly not the least, I would like to thank my wife Vicki June, for her love, support, and encouragement. Her life was not easy for a number of reasons during the time I completed this book, but she approached each day with good humor and a zest for life that was contagious. I thank her for sharing her life space with me.
Michael Kernis
University of Georgia