Self-Esteem and Self-Efficacy

The Construct of Self-Esteem

August 12, 2012

SELF-ESTEEM & SELF-EFFICACY

Self-esteem has long been regarded as one of the major psychological constructs, and is defined as the individual's positive and or negative attitudes toward the self. Having a healthy self-esteem leads to self-protective motives, self-enhancement processes, a variety of coping processes; and low self-esteem generates some measure of psychological distress (Schultz & Schultz, 2008).

In terms of the relationship between self-esteem and self-efficacy, researchers have reported mixed results. Bandura wrote that self-efficacy (perceived capabilities) and self-esteem (perceived self-worth) do not necessarily have a predictable relationship but proponents of core self-evaluation theory suggest that general self-efficacy and self-esteem, together with neuroticism and locus of control, should be treated as a united construct (Judge, Locke, & Durham, 1997).

Social cognitive theory claims that maladaptive responses are learned as a result of exposure to inadequate and poor models of behavior. One' perception of self-efficacy also plays a fundamental role in social cognitive theory. Perceived inefficacy in relation to rewarding outcomes leads to depression, low self-esteem and other dysfunctional reasoning. Dysfunctional expectations and self-conceptions are the basis for low self-efficacy (Bandura, 1987).

When in therapy, the social-cognitive theory involves a client gaining and then maintaining new thought and behavior patterns using modeling and guided mastery. The goal of therapy is to make changes in the level of the client's perceived self-efficacy. Using various models, tasks are demonstrated in a way that there is a positive outcome, or at the very least, no negative consequences. The client observes the model's behavior, as well as assisting in the process. This is in contrast to other therapeutic approaches where verbal communication is emphasized. Social-cognitive theory concentrates on mastering tasks and overcoming experiences as a way to effect changes in self-efficacy and to heighten self-esteem (Bandura, 1994).

References

Bandura, A. (1986). Social foundations of thought and action: A social cognitive theory. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.

Bandura, A. (1994). Self-efficacy. In V. S. Ramachaudran (Ed.), Encyclopedia of human behavior (Vol. 4, pp. 71-81). New York: Academic Press. (Reprinted in H. Friedman [Ed.], Encyclopedia of mental health. San Diego: Academic Press, 1998).

Judge, T. A., Locke, E. A., & Durham, C. C. (1997). The dispositional causes of job satisfaction: A core evaluations approach. Research