The Interactive Roles Of Stability And Level Of Self-Esteem: Research and Theory

Publisher Summary This chapter demonstrates the ways in which consideration of both level and stability of self-esteem can provide a vehicle for reconciling these differing views. The chapter provides a framework and review evidence that suggests that a full understanding of self-esteem processes requires a consideration of both self-esteem components. It discusses the meaning of stability of self-esteem and the way it can be—and has been—measured and examines the reason for people varying in the extent to which their self-esteem is unstable, focusing on both contemporaneous and early childhood influences. A preliminary model of the way stability and level of self-esteem jointly relate to the use of self-protection and self-enhancement strategy is presented. The chapter describes important differences that emerge between and within high and low self-esteem individuals (SEs) as a function of stability of self-esteem. The different views of low and high self-esteem and the relevance of self-esteem instability for reconciling them have been discussed.