Differentiate between the terms self-concept and self-esteem, and describe how they are related; and then explain the differences in the basis of self-esteem in Eastern and Western cultures

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Answer will include that people's self-concepts consist of all their ideas, perceptions, stories, and feelings about who they are. It is the mental "picture" they have of their own personality. People creatively build their self-concepts out of daily experiences. Then they slowly revise them as they have new experiences. Self-esteem involves regarding oneself as a worthwhile person, that is, having a positive evaluation of oneself. A person with high self-esteem is confident, proud, and self-respecting. One who has low self-esteem is insecure, lacking in confidence, and self-critical. People with low self-esteem are usually anxious and unhappy and suffer from poor self-knowledge. Their self-concepts are inconsistent, inaccurate, and confused. Self-esteem tends to rise when we experience success or praise. A person who is competent and effective and who is loved, admired, and respected by others will almost always have high self-esteem. In individualistic cultures, such as the United States, self-esteem is based on personal success and outstanding performance. For Americans, the path to higher self-esteem lies in self-enhancement. They are pumped up by their successes and tend to downplay their faults and failures. Japanese and other Asian cultures place a greater emphasis on collectivism and interdependence among people. For them, self-esteem is based on a secure sense of belonging to social groups. As a result, people in Asian cultures are more apt to engage in self-criticism. By correcting personal faults, they add to the well-being of the group. And, when the group succeeds, individual members feel better about themselves, which raises their self-esteem.