Research and theory on self-esteem have flourished in recent years. This resurgence has produced multiple perpectives on fundamental issues surrounding the nature of self-esteem and its role in psychological functioning and interpersonal processes. Self-Esteem Issues and Answers brings together these various perspectives in a unique format. The book is divided into five sections. Section I focuses on core issues pertaining to the conceptualization and assesment of self-esteem, and when self-esteem is optimal. Section II concentrates on the determinants, development, and modifiability of self-esteem. Section III examines the evolutionary significance of self-esteem and its role in psychological processes and therapeutic settings. Section IV explores the social, relational, and cultural significance of self-esteem. Finally, Section V considers future directions for self-esteem researchers, practitioners, parents and teachers. This volume offers a wealth of perspectives from prominent researchers from different areas of psychology. Each expert contributor was asked to focus his or her chapter on a central self-esteem issue. Three or four experts addressed each question. The result is that Self-Esteem Issues and Answers provides a comprehensive sourcebook of current perspectives on a wide range of central self-esteem issues.

Table of Contents:
About the editor. Contributors. Preface. GeneralIntroduction, Michael H. Kernis. Section 1. Conceptualizing and Assessing Self-Esteem. Question #1. Chapter 1. The Three Faces of Self-Esteem, Jonathon D.Brown. Chapter 2. Defining Self-Esteem: An often overlooked issue with crucial implications, ChristopherJ. Mruk. Chapter 3 What is the Nature of Self-Esteem: Unidimensional and Multidimensional Perspectives, HerbertW. Marsh, Rhonda G. Craven & Andrew J. Martin. Question#2. Chapter 4. Self-esteem, Psychopathology, and Psychotherapy, Edward J. O'Brien, Mia Bartoletti, &Jeffrey D. Leitzel. Chapter 5. On the Divergent and Convergent Validity of Self-Esteem, Jerry Suls.Chapter6. Divergent and Convergent Validity of Self-Esteem: A State Perspective, John B. Nezlek. Question #3. Chapter7. Conceptualization, Measurement, and Functioning of Nonconscious Self-Esteem, Jennifer K. Bosson. Chapter 8.Nonconscious Self-esteem: Is there something you're not telling yourself?, Christian H. Jordan, Christine Logel,Steven J. Spencer, & Mark P. Zanna. Chapter 9.Conscious and Unconscious Self-Esteem From the Perspective of Cognitive Experiential Self-Theory, Seymour Epstein. Chapter 10. Assessing Stability of Self-Esteem and Contingent Self-Esteem, Michael H. Kernis& Brian M. Goldman. Question #4. Chapter 11. Assessing Self-Esteem Via Self-Reports and Nonreactive Instruments: Issues and Recommendations, Jennifer K. Bosson. Chapter12. The Assessment of Implicit and Explicit Self-Esteem: Lessons from Motive Research, Richard Koestner &Geneviève A Mageau.Chapter 13. Implicit and Explicit Self-Esteem: Theoretical and Methodological Refinements, Andrew Karpinski & Jennifer A. Steinberg. Chapter 14. Moral Value, Agency, and the Measurement of Self-Esteem, Romin W. Tafordi & Caroline Ho. Question #5. Chapter15. What is Optimal Self-Esteem?, Jennifer Crocker.Chapter 16. What is Optimal Self-Esteem? The Cultivation and Consequences of Contingent Versus True Self-Esteem as viewed from the Self-Determination Theory Perspective. Richard M. Ryan & Kirk Warren Brown. Chapter 17. Making Diamonds out of Coal: The Role of Authenticity in Healthy (optimal) Self-Esteem and Psychological Functioning, Brian Goldman.Section II. Development and Determinants of Self-esteem. Question #6. Chapter 18. The Development of Self-Esteem, Susan Harter.Chapter19. Development of the Self-Esteem Motive, Howard B.Kaplan.Chapter 20. Origins & Developmental Influences on Self-Esteem, Daniel Hart, Robert Atkins, & NatashaTursi. Question #7. Chapter 21. Changing Self-Esteem, Christopher J. Mruk.Chapter 22. Self-Esteem Change, Heather D.Tevendale & David L. DuBois.Chapter 23.Improving Self-Esteem, Roos Vonk. Question #8. Chapter24. A Self-Determination Theory Perspectives on the Interpersonal and Intrapersonal Aspects of Self-Esteem, Arlen C. Moller, Ron Friedman, & Edward L. Deci. Chapter25. To What Extent is Self-Esteem Influenced by Interpersonal as Compared with Intrapersonal Processes? What are these processes?, Mark R. Leary. Chapter 26. The Antecedents of Self-Esteem, William Swann, Jr., & D.Conor Seyle. Question #9. Chapter 27. Self-Knowledge and Self-Esteem, Rick H. Hoyle. Chapter 28. Pathways among Self-Knowledge and Self-Esteem: How are Self-Esteem and Self-Knowledge Linked? Are these links direct or indirect?, Carolin J. Showers & Virgil Zeigler-Hill. Chapter 29. Who do you think you are? On the link between Self-Knowledge and Self-Esteem, Aafje C. Brandt &Roos Vonk.Question #10. Chapter 30. Facilitating Children's Self-Esteem: The Role of Parents and Teachers, Wendy S. Grolnick & Krista L. Beiswenger. Chapter 31. Nurturing Self-Esteem in Young People, Nathaniel Branden.Chapter 32. How can optimal Self-Esteem be Facilitated in Children and Adolescents by Parents and Teachers?, Martin V. Covington. Section III. Self-esteem and Psychological Functioning. Question #11. Chapter 33. Self-Esteem is Central to Human Well-Being, SheldonSolomon. Chapter 34. Examining the Role of Self-Esteem in Psychological Functioning and Well-Being, Erika J.Koch.Chapter 35. Self-Esteem Processes are Central to Psychological Functioning and Well-Being, Abraham Tesser& Leonard L. Martin.Question #12. Chapter 36. Having and Pursuing Self-esteem: Costs and Benefits, JenniferCrocker. Chapter 37. Possessing and Striving for High Self-Esteem, Frederick Rhodewalt. Chapter 38. Should People with Low Self-Esteem Strive for High Self-Esteem?, Joanne V. Wood, Danu B. Anthony, & Walter F. Foddis.Question #13. Chapter 39. Self-Esteem from a Clinical Perspective, John E. Roberts. Chapter 40. Self-Esteem, Psychopathology, and Psychotherapy, Edward J. O'Brien,Mia Bartoletti & Jeffrey D. Leitzel. Chapter 41.Self-Esteem: Evolutionary Roots and Historical Cultivation, W. Keith Campbell & Joshua D. Foster.Question #14. Chapter 42. The Evolution of Self-Esteem, Sarah E. Hill & David M. Buss. Chapter 43 . What is the Evolutionary Significance of Self-Esteem? The Adaptive Functions of Self-Evaluative Psychological Mechanisms, Lee A. Kirkpatrick & Bruce J. Ellis. Chapter 44. Self-Esteem in Therapeutic Settings and Emotional Disorders, Tracy DeHart & Howard Tennen.Section IV. Self-esteem in Social Context. Question #15. Chapter45. Self-Esteem: Its Relational Contingencies and Consequences, Sandra L. Murray. Chapter 46. Self-Esteem and Close Relationship Dynamics, Mark W. Baldwin. Chapter 47. Self-Esteem and Rejection Sensitivity in Close Relationships, Kathy Berenson & Geraldine Downey. Question #16. Chapter 48. Does Self-Esteem Equally Matter Across Cultures?, Shinobu Kitayama. Chapter 49.Primacy of Personal over Collective Self and Cultural Considerations, Constantine Sedikides & Lowell Gaertner. Chapter 50. What is the Interface between Culture and Self-Esteem? Jean M. Twenge. Question #17. Chapter 51.The Self-Esteem Motive: Positive and Negative Consequences for Self and Society, Timothy J. Owens &Alyson R. McDavitt. Chapter 52. What Role does Self-Esteem Play in the Ills and Triumphs of Society? Thomas A. Pyszczynski. Chapter 53. How Self-Esteem Relates To the Ills and Triumphs of Society, Dianne M.Tice & Matthew Gailliot. Section V. Future Directions. Question #18. Chapter 54. Where do we go from here?, Mark R. Leary. Chapter 55. Where do we go from here?, Susan Harter.Chapter 56. Where do we go from here?, Nathaniel Branden