Self-Esteem

Defensive Self-Esteem

When individuals have high self-esteem combined with a high need for approval, it has been [Page 840]suggested that they are high in defensive self-esteem. Defensive self-esteem occurs when an individual falsifies his or her behaviors to avoid criticism, hostility, and unfavorable opinions about themselves. In effect, they report high levels of self-esteem targeted on a version of their self that is manufactured to obtain the approval of others. Two underlying factors of socially desirable responding have been found to affect defensive self-esteem: impression management and self-deception.

Impression management occurs when individuals are fully aware that he or she is changing their own behaviors in order to be approved. Most people utilize impression management, such as in the job interview process and on social networking sites, in order to appear more socially acceptable. Having control over what others see and hear are only two aspects of making an impression. Social media makes it easier to mask one's personality, focusing on one aspect instead of personality in its entirety. For example, one could focus solely on philanthropy, making the individual appear to be more generous, but no other aspect of his or her personality would be noted. Impression management also includes having more control over self-presentational behavior.

Self-deception is said to occur when an individual simultaneously and unknowingly holds two opposing beliefs regarding his or her behaviors and feelings of self-worth. Self-deception has been suggested as a response to self-confrontation, and individuals may or may not elicit contradictory beliefs about themselves during self-report measures. As such, self-deception can be defined as an unconscious bias that protects an individual's self-esteem against psychological threats of being inadequate, incapable, or undesirable. When confronted with information regarding themselves that would threaten their self-esteem, they convince themselves this information is not a true reflection of themselves.

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