Self-esteem, a key concept of social psychology, involves self-perception. Effected by a child’s awareness of themselves and their surroundings as well as their expectations of functionality, self-esteem development continues throughout the life span. The development of a healthy sense of self-esteem is not black and white and in early childhood, this burden falls largely on the caregiver. The caregiver is responsible for creating and maintaining an informative environment for the child to successfully grow. Subsequently, the research regarding how to do so is constantly evolving. This literature review will provide information on self-esteem, and its development and longitudinal effects, as well as analyze studies involving the relationship …show more content…
Termed, “a key to a successful life”, a child’s self-esteem is quite important to their caregiver. Self-esteem, according to Smith and Mackie (2007), is a person’s self-concept about themselves, which can result in both negative and positive assessments. Self-esteem can predict both future successes and failures in domains such as health, work ethic, socioeconomic status, and relationships (Orth, Robins, Trzesniewski, 2010). According to a study by Orth, Macs, and Schmitt (2014), self-esteem development is longitudinal, meaning levels at one stage in life are likely to effect self-esteem levels at a future stage. Although able to regularly change, self-esteem is largely viewed as a global characteristic developing overtime (Orth et al., 2010). Research suggests a quadratic curve with regards to self-esteem formation (Smith et al., 2007). Due to the fluctuating nature of self-esteem and its development through the life span, there is increasing research studying the effects of early life experiences and self-esteem development. Self-esteem, though partially affected by genetics, can be altered based on a child’s environment (AAP, 2004). Self-esteem is not dependent on one moment’s interaction, but ongoing interactions over time. With many studies indicating that high self-esteem levels suggest future successes, caregivers strive to create the …show more content…
A cross-culture study by Yanping Wang and Thomas Ollendick, 2001 analyzed the development of self-esteem in Chinese children compared to Western children. A key aspect of this study was to understand differential cultural backgrounds with regards to the notion of an “imposed etic” versus a “derived etic”. The study analyzed these two cultures because of a stark contrast between the collectivist Chinese upbringing and the individualist Western society. The findings of this study showed that Chinese toddlers and children, due to factors including a more authoritarian upbringing and the lack of word for self-esteem in the Chinese language, do not exhibit the quintessential Western view of self-esteem although they do still engage in self-evaluative processes (Wang and Ollendick, 2001). Kearney (1999) cited and analyzed studies looking at gender differences in self-esteem development. Gender differences are more prevalent in puberty and early adolescence, due to anatomical and psychological changes, and there does not seem to be a correlation between self esteems levels and gender. Although a multitude of studies indicate lower self-esteem in adolescent girls, an interesting topic for further research is to look at the imposed gender differences early in a child’s upbringing (Kearney, 1999). It is imperative
A variety of studies, such as the ones described below, have been conducted over the years in an attempt to explain and examine the emergence of self-recognition in infants. As a result the general consensus is that infants as young as 15 months old and most infants by 24-month are able to respond to their image in a mirror (Anderson, 2005). Research has also shown there are various self-conscious reactions and self-labeling that also indicate the toddler has self-recognition during the second year, though more research is needed to test their validity (Anderson, 2005).
The question of whether self- esteem has significance with real world- consequences is a valid concern. Ulrich Orth and Richard W. Robins provide the answer, with evidence contributed by researched studies, in their article The Development of Self- Esteem that self- esteem, in fact, does influence societal significance. With the determination on self- esteem trajectory from adolescence to old age, self- esteem stability, and the relationship between levels of self-esteem and predictions of success and failure, one can conclude that self- esteem influences life outcomes; moreover, people can participate to involvements focused at positively influencing the development of self- esteem.
Erikson developed the eight psychosocial stages of which the first 3 stages: Trust vs. Mistrust, Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt, Initiative vs. Guilt affects a child’s development. A child’s relationship with his caregiver is very important because if a child doesn’t have a good relationship, and is constantly shamed for doing things and not succeeding can affect the child overall. For example, a child in his preschool age (3-5) who is trying to help his mother clean, but is too slow a mother could stop him and prevent him from and this will cause a child to be fearful of doing things because he was never permitted to do something on his
older people imagine clear to a greater degree by their social roles. (Kuhn, 1960). The need for self-esteem plays an important role in psychologist Abraham Maslow's hierarchy of needs, which depicts self-esteem as one of the basic human motivations. Maslow suggested that people need both esteem from other people as well as inner self-respect. Both of these needs must be fulfilled in order for an individual to grow as a person and achieve self-actualization.
Fung, H. (1999). Becoming a moral child: The socialization of shame among young Chinese children. Ethos, 27(2), 180-209.
...as an individual, still finding a sense of closeness with their caregiver. The perceptions that are formed as an infant are progressively construed to structure who we are, what we do, and why we do the things we do. These long-term effects appear to grow and are constructive as internal working models which shape our behavior, self perception, sense of self, and our expectations of other people.
In “Why Chinese Mothers are Superior,” Amy Chua professes her strong belief on the effectiveness of Chinese techniques used in raising an academically advanced child compared to the techniques used by Western parents. To begin, she lists examples of activities her own kids cannot participate in to help give the readers a taste of the high expectations that are placed on Chinese children. Chua uses this list to prove a point to the Western parents that the level of pressure they apply to their children does not even begin to compare to the harsh expectations placed on the children raised in the Chinese culture. She then mentions the many experiments performed to clarify the differences between the Western and Chinese tactics when it comes to
For the nature of a child’s psyche, strength is the assumption. This was basically how Chua classified one of the primary differences of “Chinese mother” parenting from Western styles (52). Most often Chua expressed it through believing her children already could do something and overriding any incli...
Every family is unique in dynamic and nature. Parenting styles within families vary depending on circumstance and principal. What defines parenting styles is the approach that parents take on raising their children and the psychological and social effects it has on their child’s development. These parenting techniques influence the child’s lifestyle and beliefs throughout their life and have lasting effects on the child’s adulthood. In the research article Child self-esteem and different parenting styles of mother’s: cross-sectional study discusses that “Parenting style refers to the practices adopted by parents during their children’s growth and socialization stages and how the children are controlled.” Developmental psychologist Diana Baumrind
In the discussion, I have learned different cultures and diverse techniques to work in early childhood environment. I also learned it is okay to express our feeling while I shared the struggles as well as sad story from my life. In the self-esteem research paper, I had a chance to discuss about my self-esteem while living in a new country. When I wrote this paper, I have learned that I have both positive and low self-esteem. Honestly, I have never paid attentions about my self-esteem. After writing this assignment, I was surprised that I could recognize my positive and low self-esteem. Personally, I think it is important to go back and exam on self-esteem because it will help me to understand more about myself. I have learning that having low self-esteem will not only effect to my everyday lives, but it may also lead to a mental health problem, such as depression or anxiety. Therefore, I need to maintain my positive self-esteem. Then, I will find techniques to boost my low self-esteem to positive
It discusses how children are born with that needs to connect with individuals around them. Teachers and providers create positive relationship with children from birth through the early years. The foundation for that healthy social and emotional development because it affects her children see the world, express themselves, manages their emotions, in establishing a positive relationship with others. There were several areas of development that included social interactions that focus on the relationship that we share and include relationship with adults and peers. Emotional awareness recognized and understands your feelings and actions of other people, and self-regulation where you have that ability to express your thoughts, feelings, and behavior in a socially appropriate way. There were many tips that were listed when working with infants from talking and reading, having that warm, responsive, and consistent care, maintaining predictable routines, and getting to know each child while following their lead. The importance of supporting children and developing social skills is critical for learning, happiness, and long-term. This development begins during infancy and can be supported through simple social games, emotional role model, and imitating an infant's facial expression and sounds. The importance of social-emotional development and toddlers makes an impact in a child life when these skills are developed starting in infancy. Encouraging positive behaviors and using positive discipline practices that helped to develop the ability to make good choices as well as recognizing the confidence that is built when these behaviors are repeated. This is a process for young children to learn these behaviors always remembering that a patient response will help especially when the behaviors are
A child who is not successful in acquiring the skills they try will move on to the adolescent stage with the mindset that they are inferior to their peers. Their success or failure in the development of new skills informs the child’s self-concept. Self-concept is the idea that one holds about themselves. How they feel about their intelligence, personality, ethnicity, gender, and more are all a part of the child’s self-concept (Berger K. S., 2010, p. 285). In early childhood, a person’s self-concept is optimistic and strong.
Self-esteem can be defined as how children feel about themselves. Children's levels of self-esteem are evident in their behavior and attitudes. If children feel good about themselves, these good feelings will be reflected in how they relate to friends, teachers, siblings, parents, and others. Self-esteem is something that affects individuals throughout life. Therefore, it is very important for parents to help their children develop healthy levels of self-esteem. There are many things parents can do to help their children learn that they are lovable, capable, and competent, beginning when their children are at a very young age. Unfortunately, it is also at a very young age that children can begin to develop low self-esteem. Parents must be very careful not to plant the seeds of low self-esteem in their children unknowingly. Children learn their first lessons about self-esteem from their parents.
Before learning about early childhood in this class I never realized all the way children at such a young age are developing. From the second part of this course I learned how much children are developing at the early childhood stage. I never realized children learn how about their emotions, having empathy, and self-concept at such a young age. I thought children had it easy. They play with friends, start school, and just be kids. One important thing that stood out to me in this chapter is that children’s self-esteem starts at this stage. According to Berk (2012), “self-esteem is the judgments we make about our own worth and the feelings associated with those judgments (p. 366)”. Self-esteem is very important for a child to have and it can
Furthermore, I have acquired a set of personal and professional gains as a result of completing the thesis that includes the development of a critical mindset, improvement of my writing and time management skills and enhancement of the level of my