Self-concept and self-esteem: How the content of the self-concept reveals sources and functions of self-esteem

• Authors: Kinga Lachowicz-Tabaczek , Justyna Śniecińska
• Languages of publication: EN

Abstracts

EN

The relations of content of self-concept to self-esteem may reflect the role of different factors in developing self-esteem. On the basis of theories describing sources of self-esteem, we distinguished four domains of self-beliefs: agency, morality, strength and energy to act, and acceptance by others, which we hypothesized to be related to self-esteem. In two studies, involving 411 university students, the relationship between self-esteem and self-concept was examined. The results confirmed relative independence of these four domains. Self-evaluation of agency was the strongest predictor of selfesteem, followed by self-evaluation of strength and energy to act, and self-evaluation of acceptance by others. Selfevaluation regarding morality turned out to have either no or negative relationship with self-esteem. The results supported the theories assuming that either perception of one’s own agency or acceptance by others are sources of self-esteem.

Keywords

EN

self-esteem; self-concept; sources and functions of self-esteem

• Publisher: Committee for Psychological Sciences, Polish Academy of Sciences
• Journal: Polish Psychological Bulletin
• Year: 2011
• Volume: 42
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 24-35

Contributors

author

Kinga Lachowicz-Tabaczek

• Warsaw School of Social Sciences and Humanities, Wrocław Faculty
• University of Wrocław, Institute of Psychology, 50-527 Wrocław

author

Justyna Śniecińska

• University of Wrocław, Institute of Psychology

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Identifiers

DOI

10.2478/v10059-011-0005-y