Question

Explain with an example how the self-evaluation maintenance model works. According to this model, how are positive self-evaluations maintained?

Short answer

Positive self-evaluations are maintained through two processes: reflection, where we associate with successful others in domains not central to our self-identity; and comparison, where we may distance ourselves from others or devalue the domain if other's success threatens our self-esteem in areas important to us.

Step-by-step solution

Understanding the Self-Evaluation Maintenance Model

The self-evaluation maintenance (SEM) model theorizes how people maintain their self-esteem when they experience success or failure through their own actions or through close associates. Cognitive processes in this model operate to allow individuals to feel good about themselves through reflection (association with successful others) and comparison (judging one's own performance against others).

Reflection Process

If a close friend does well in an area that is not very important to our identity, we use the reflection process to bask in their reflected glory, thereby boosting our self-esteem without the need for actual personal achievement in that domain.

Comparison Process

If a close friend excels in an area that is important to our own self-identity, the comparison process poses a threat to our self-esteem. In this case, we might minimize closeness with the person or reduce the importance of the domain to protect our self-evaluation.

Example of the SEM Model in action

Imagine you are a mediocre chess player while your best friend is a chess champion. If you don't strongly identify with being great at chess (low relevance), you'll feel pride in your friend's achievements (reflection). If you do care deeply about chess (high relevance), you might feel threatened by your friend's success and either try to improve your own skills, distance yourself from your friend, or devalue the importance of chess skills (comparison).

Key concepts

Self-Esteem in Social Psychology

Self-esteem is a fundamental concept in social psychology that represents an individual's overall subjective emotional evaluation of their own worth. It's the decision made by an individual as an attitude towards the self.

Self-esteem encompasses beliefs about oneself as well as emotional states, such as triumph, despair, pride, and shame. It's a crucial factor in our lives because it affects our choices, our interactions, and our overall mental health. People with high self-esteem generally have a positive outlook on life, are comfortable with themselves, and believe in their own abilities.

Conversely, individuals with low self-esteem often doubt their capabilities and may suffer from a negative perception of their self-worth. Social interactions can significantly impact self-esteem, where the views and actions of others can either validate and uplift an individual's self-image or contribute to feelings of inadequacy and insecurity. The SEM model delves into these dynamics, offering insight into how we maintain or protect our sense of self-worth in relation to others.

Reflection Process in SEM

The reflection process is a cognitive strategy outlined in the SEM model, used to enhance one's self-esteem through association with others' achievements. When someone close to us excels in an area that we don't personally prioritize, we engage in the reflection process.

This process involves deriving a sense of pride and self-worth by associating with the success of close others. A good way to visualize this is to think about how fans feel when their favorite sports team wins; even though they aren't the ones playing, they bask in the glory of the victory.

For instance, if your sibling is a celebrated artist but you don't consider artistic skill central to your identity, you might still feel a sense of pride in their accomplishments. This positive emotional response to their success allows your self-esteem to benefit from their reflected glory without personally competing in that field of expertise.

Comparison Process in SEM

The comparison process is the other side of the SEM model's coin, where things get a tad more complex. When someone excels in a domain that we consider important to our self-identity, it can trigger a comparison process.

This process often includes evaluating our abilities against those of others, which can lead to feelings of jealousy or decreased self-esteem if we come up short. When faced with such situations, we might respond by distancing ourselves psychologically or physically from the individual, reducing the perceived importance of the domain, or working harder to improve our own performance.

To use the earlier example but with a twist, if you're highly committed to being a chess player, a close friend's success in chess could make you feel inferior. To manage these negative feelings, you might downplay chess's significance or try to improve your skills to lessen the performance gap. The SEM model helps us understand this self-protective behavior and why it's sometimes necessary to preserve our self-esteem.