Academic AchievementNumerous studies have been conducted with regard toacademic achievement and self-esteem. With this research,as with the others, there is no clear consensus to supportthe model that high self-esteem generates high academicachievement (Ginter & Dwinell, 1994; Pottebaum, Keith, &Ehly, 1986). Bachman and O'Malley (1986) have concluded Self-esteem: The Myth 7that it is one's actual ability rather than perceivedability that seems to be a determinant of self-esteem, andis the impetus that makes a difference in academic success.Emler (2001) surmised from his study that genes are moreimportant than parenting and environment, and that lowself-esteem is not a risk factor for poor academicperformance. He found that people with high self-esteemmay have an unrealistic sense of themselves. "They expectto do well at things, discount failure and feel beyondreproach" (Emler, 2001).SummaryIn conclusion, the self-esteem debate rages on insocial psychology, but hopefully with an eye open to thedifficulty of measuring something that is internal. TheAmerican self-help industry is keen to new material thatwill support and expand their industry. An interestingexercise is looking at what is available on the Internetand in bookstores across America. There are more than3,000 book titles on the Barnes & Noble web site alonecontaining the term "self-esteem". At no time in thedefinition of self-esteem does it state that to have selfesteem,
a person only need be told that they are
worthwhile. It does not say that self-esteem can be handed
to a person. A healthy self-esteem should not be a threat
Self-esteem: The Myth 8
to society. Affective judgement and self-regulation to
respond appropriately in frustrating and stressful
situations is regarded as a principle key from the
definition of self-esteem. External feedback from the
world does not validate inappropriate attitudes and
actions. A level of self-acceptance or respect for one's
self, that is consistent with the other characteristics of
the self, would not validate the poor choices made by some
at the expense of others. Society and the self-help
industry have co-opted the nearly impossible to measure
complex concept of self-esteem in an effort to control
behavior. In turn, the psychology profession uses
intervention and manipulation in an attempt to measure and
adjust self-esteem with little or no validity that these
techniques are successful. Therefore, the unrealistic
emphasis placed by society on self-esteem is unwarranted
and scientifically unsupportable. Perhap
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