Self-esteem

Self-esteem or self-worth is one's self-image at an emotional level; circumventing reason and logic. The term differs from ego in that the ego is a more artificial aspect; one can remain highly egotistical, while underneath have very low self-esteem. The mainenance of a healthy degree of self-esteem is a central task within psychology, where patients often suffer from excess degrees of self-criticism, hampering their ability to function.

Popularised in the 1970s as the cause of society's ills, and written into Californian law as something to oppose, low self-esteem rapidly became a universal explanation for any personal failing and a staple of personal development movement attacks, sometimes resulting in narcissistic, over-confident individuals with excessive self-esteem.

Much debate about self-esteem centres on the definition of the term. New Age thought can provide self-serving views of the concept; others can discount the existence or merely the usefulness of the idea.

Some see low self-esteem as a major predisposing factor for crime; others point out that high self-esteem equates with the risk-taking behaviour of criminals.