Assessment of Self-Esteem

Discuss how a Rogerian perspective would explain the thoughts, feelings, and behaviors of people with low self-esteem

According to Rogerian's perspective children who have low self-esteem did not receive unconditional positive regard from his or her parents, mainly from his or her mother. If he or she is lacking the love and affection required, he or she will stop trying to receive real love from his or her parents and will turn to others for false love. This can result in confusion of his or her self-image.

Children desire love, affection, and acceptance. Parents need to give their children what Roger called unconditional positive regard, which is love regardless of the child's behavior. In other words, the child does not have to earn love and affection of his or her parents. If a child receives unconditional positive regard, the child will have high self-esteem.

Explain how this theoretical orientation suggests a means to assist people in overcoming their sense of low self-esteem

When a person gives positive regard to others, he or she also feels the sense of positive regard as well (Schwartz, 2008). Approval of others helps a person's self-esteem to grow.

Low self-esteem is a result of personal judgment of unworthiness. A person would minimize the positive things that happen to them, such as getting a good grade, by explaining it away as luck, or that the professor was a fool. Discrepancy between the real self and the ideal self, led to feelings of dejection and low self-esteem. In Rogers' view, self-esteem and self-concept is also affected by the degree of acceptance and positive regard received in daily social interaction. Positive, supportive social relationships increase psychological well-being and self-esteem (Pervin, Cervone, and Oliver, 2005).