What does self-esteem "do"?

Interesting scientific article: http://www.psychologicalscience.org/...df/pspi411.pdf

They found self-esteem is a "squishy" (non-scientific term :-) concept and didn't really "do" much. Maybe we're chasing a rainbow in some forms, like "happiness." The last section on "public policy implications" starts on page 38. It mentions the trend to not criticize kids at all, just tell them how wonderful they are and how that's gone wrong in some ways.

This is a fascinating article, and I hope I have time to read it in full someday soon.

Found this good Website for University of Texas students: http://www.utexas.edu/student/cmhc/b...#anchor1648307

Lots of good topics on self-esteem from their counseling center: http://www.utexas.edu/student/cmhc/b...m/selfest.html

perna, the sentence about "telling kids they're always wonderful" made me think of something.

i used to judge the Oklahoma State Fair Rodeo Queen contest. i did it for 8 years. the first year that i judged, i critiqued each contestant and the other judge didn't. he just wrote flowery _________ to each contestant.......

the girls would come around, the next year, and tell me how much they had worked on what i had noted.....even if it was something small, it can make a HUGE difference in how you present yourself and your horse. the contest was strictly on horsemanship and then personality, so i took it very seriously.

i think you can withhold constructive criticism too much and a person suffers from it. pat