A general view held in psychology that high self esteem or at least a positive view of one’s self has many benefits to our mental and perhaps even our physical health, while low self-esteem predisposes people to aggressive behavior. However, recent studies have been gathering that have an overall positive correlation between aggression and self-esteem. These studies also show that an exaggerated sense of self-esteem especially when coupled with narcissism can actually leads to the highest rates of aggression. Characteristics of these people include being bold, assertive, stubborn, and confident of self knowledge to the point of feeling superior to others. In contrast, people with low self esteem are more shy, modest, and full of self doubt.
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One of them done by Bushman, Baumeister, Thomaes, Ryu, Begeer, & West (2009) found that children scoring low on self-esteem reported more delinquent behaviors, including two items assessing fighting. A third study also showed that low self-esteem correlated with high scores when it came to aggression among college students. They hypothesize that low self-esteem and high narcissism might contribute separately to aggression. Higher rates of delinquent behavior in those that have low self esteem can be explained through the social-bonding theory where weaker ties to society decrease the standards to social norms and increase delinquency (Donnellan, Trzesniewski, Robins, Moffitt, & Caspi, 2003 ). In the article “Low Self-Esteem Is Related to Aggression, Antisocial Behavior, and Delinquency” by Donnellan, Trzesniewski, Robins, Moffitt, & Caspi (2003) they discussed how theories that link poor self esteem with aggression include the humanistic psychologist Rogers who argued that a lack of unconditional positive self-regard is linked to aggression and as well as other psychological issues. Another past theorist they discussed was Horney and Adler argued that aggression and antisocial behavior are aroused by feelings of inferiority which rooted from childhood experiences of rejection and …show more content…
The Aggression Questionnaire was used to measure four different dimensions of aggression (physical aggression, verbal aggression, anger, & hostility). Overall, low self-esteem was found to be related to anger and hostility. Several specific problem-solving dimensions were also found to be related to anger, hostility, and physical aggression. Another study done by Crocker (2002) found that college students who based their self-worth on external sources (particularly appearances, approval from others and their academic standing) reported more negative outcomes stress, anger management, aggression, academic problems, relationship conflicts, and even had higher levels of drug and alcohol
One of them done by Bushman, Baumeister, Thomaes, Ryu, Begeer, & West (2009) found that children scoring low on self-esteem reported more delinquent behaviors, including two items assessing fighting. A third study also showed that low self-esteem correlated with high scores when it came to aggression among college students. They hypothesize that low self-esteem and high narcissism might contribute separately to aggression. Higher rates of delinquent behavior in those that have low self esteem can be explained through the social-bonding theory where weaker ties to society decrease the standards to social norms and increase delinquency (Donnellan, Trzesniewski, Robins, Moffitt, & Caspi, 2003 ). In the article “Low Self-Esteem Is Related to Aggression, Antisocial Behavior, and Delinquency” by Donnellan, Trzesniewski, Robins, Moffitt, & Caspi (2003) they discussed how theories that link poor self esteem with aggression include the humanistic psychologist Rogers who argued that a lack of unconditional positive self-regard is linked to aggression and as well as other psychological issues. Another past theorist they discussed was Horney and Adler argued that aggression and antisocial behavior are aroused by feelings of inferiority which rooted from childhood experiences of rejection and …show more content…
The Aggression Questionnaire was used to measure four different dimensions of aggression (physical aggression, verbal aggression, anger, & hostility). Overall, low self-esteem was found to be related to anger and hostility. Several specific problem-solving dimensions were also found to be related to anger, hostility, and physical aggression. Another study done by Crocker (2002) found that college students who based their self-worth on external sources (particularly appearances, approval from others and their academic standing) reported more negative outcomes stress, anger management, aggression, academic problems, relationship conflicts, and even had higher levels of drug and alcohol