Question
Why is reactive self-esteem considered healthier than consistently high self-esteem?
Answer
Reactive self-esteem is self-esteem that adjusts appropriately in response to one’s social environment. This type of self-esteem is considered a healthier and more adaptive form of self-evaluation. According to sociometer theory, self-esteem functions as an internal gauge of how well an individual is doing within their social context. A drop in self-esteem following negative feedback, such as a poor performance review or strained family relationships, can be a constructive signal prompting self-reflection and behavioral change.
In contrast, inflated or rigidly high self-esteem, especially when it does not adjust to environmental feedback, can be maladaptive. Individuals with narcissistic personality disorder (NPD), for example, often display consistently high explicit self-esteem, marked by grandiosity, need for admiration, and lack of empathy, despite evidence of poor interpersonal outcomes. This suggests a disconnect between their outward self-perception and their implicit self-esteem, which is often low.
Healthy self-esteem, in contrast, should fluctuate naturally in response to life events and feedback, allowing for personal growth and authentic self-understanding.
This Ask the Expert is an edited excerpt from the course, 'The Role of the Self in Marriage and Family: Exploring Self-Verification Theory,' presented by Benjamin Ampel, MA, PhD candidate.
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