Why does a young man turn to crime? Many people would say that he has a self-esteem problem. He doesn't feel good about himself, so he indulges in negative behaviour to bring on guilt and punishment.
Why does another young man grow up to be popular and successful? According to conventional wisdom, because his parents and teachers instilled in him a positive self-image, giving him the confidence and self-love needed for success and happiness.
The notion that mental health and social success are tied up with a person's self-esteem has dominated popular psychology for decades. Books and therapists have urged people to 'feel good about themselves'. Correction officers have been attempting to rehabilitate criminals by improving their self-esteem. Child-raising techniques have focused on developing a positive self-image in children. Schools are eliminating the possibility of wrong answers, giving only positive feedback and eliminating competitive sports so that everyone can win - all in the name of enhancing their students' self-esteem. Now evidence is piling up that self-esteem does not deserve such a positive self-image. In the latest Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, a study shows that people with an unusually high self-esteem are more prone to aggression and violence.
