What is self-esteem? Is it related to your own evaluation or is it based on what other people think about you? Well, there are many theories about self-esteem in psychology, as well as criticisms of the concept itself. Although these theories often diverge in some respects, they all share a common idea. That is, in some way, our self-esteem is dependent on our social context and relationships (Stendel et al., 2024).
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In a nutshell, my point here is that our self-esteem is greatly influenced by two major factors. a) our perceptions of how others see us, and b) the extent to which we rely on those perceptions.
This idea is not new. It dates back to at least 1902, when the eminent American sociologist Charles Cooley introduced the concept that our self-perceptions are shaped by our understanding of how others perceive us. (Cooley, 1902). This concept, known as the relational or interpersonal explanation of self-esteem, is supported by research across various fields of psychology.
Research on social aspects of self-esteem
For example, a research group led by Ann Reitz gathered more than 1,000 teenagers to examine the relationship between their self-esteem and their perceived popularity among their peers. They found that an individual’s sense of popularity within a social group was associated with increased self-esteem (Reitz et al., 2016).
Additionally, a 2020 meta-analysis on self-esteem and social relationships revealed an interrelationship between the two. Positive social interactions tend to increase self-esteem, whereas negative experiences can weaken it (Harris & Orth, 2020).
The role of social media in the development of self-esteem has also received attention in recent research. For example, Woods and Scott reported that social media use is often associated with lower self-esteem, primarily due to negative feedback and upward social comparisons resulting from online interactions ( Woods and Scott, 2016).
All these studies will not surprise anyone familiar with Lev Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory (Vygotsky, 1978). His theory asserts that human development begins at the social level (inter-individual) and is then internalized at the individual level (within the individual). This process, known as internalization, can be exemplified by a mother frequently telling her son, “You’re a good boy,” and the son internalizing this as “I’m a good boy.” On a larger scale, how people from early childhood (knowing nothing of who they are) develop their self-concept through interactions with others, their opinions, and expectations. Let’s consider.
Brain scan reveals interesting insights
Recent brain imaging experiments have provided further insight into the social nature of self-esteem. Consistent research has identified the medial prefrontal cortex (MPFC) as a key brain structure involved in self-evaluation (overview, Stendel et al., 2024).
For example, one study showed that people with low self-esteem showed stronger MPFC activation in response to negative comments about themselves, whereas people with high self-esteem showed less activation (perhaps less (Somerville et al., 2010).
More interesting findings were published this week in the prestigious journal Scientific Reports. Researchers at the University of Oregon, led by Moriah Stendel, used fMRI technology to scan the brains of participants while they reflected on themselves, and then the brains of other individuals during first-person reflection. was scanned (Stendel et al., 2024).
The researchers found that people with low self-esteem had more similar activation patterns in the MPFC compared to people who thought about themselves. This indicates that their brain activity is more in line with other people’s opinions.
Conversely, people with high self-esteem showed more independent patterns of brain activation when others thought about them. Simply put, when you have low self-esteem, your brain tends to be more attuned to other people’s opinions and even reflects other people’s brain activation.
This study is important because it supports a variety of existing theories, including Vygotsky’s theory, and has potential implications for clinical research. It is well established that low self-esteem is a risk factor for many mental health disorders (e.g., Orth et al., 2009). Perhaps to help people with low self-esteem, the first step in therapeutic intervention may need to be to promote the separation of self-awareness from the opinions of others.
self-esteem essentials
What does that mean to you?
Do you have high or low self-esteem? This is the extent to which your self-perception is influenced by what others think of you or what social framework you accept. This may be a good time to think about how you feel about yourself (e.g., “I feel bad because other people had different expectations and hopes for me”). If you feel that outside opinions have a big influence on you, it may be time to work on developing a more independent sense of self-worth. After all, developing your own “unique brain activation patterns” and focusing on your values can lead to greater personal growth.
