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the Self-Determination Theory Perspective
BibTeX
@MISC{Kernis_theself-determination,
author = {Michael H. Kernis and Richard M. Ryan and Kirk Warren Brown},
title = {the Self-Determination Theory Perspective},
year = {}
}
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Abstract
S elf-esteem is a concept that is treated ambivalently by psychologists. On theone hand, it is clear that a sense of worth and confidence, both aspects ofself-esteem, can yield many benefits in terms of motivation and mental health. On the other hand, there is suspicion that too often self-esteem is mis-placed, inaccurate, or vulnerable. Many people have an inflated sense of self-worth, mismatched with actual merits or accomplishment. Others, particularly narcissists, may well have high self-esteem, but nonetheless are insensitive, self-centered and often poorly regarding of others (Paulus & Williams, 2002). Finally, there is something disconcerting about people esteeming themselves—a concept that seems in principle to lack humility and grace. This ambivalence is, in our view, well placed. Self-esteem can be an asset, but it can also be problematic, even when high. This is why the study of self-esteem has required a more differentiated approach; one that recognizes that the self-regard people manifest differs as a function of its antecedents or foundations, yielding different consequences for adjustment (Kernis, 2003; Ryan & Deci, in press). In self-determination theory (SDT; Deci & Ryan, 2000; Ryan & Deci, 2000), we distinguish between two different types of self-esteem, each built on
