Self-Esteem Research, Theory, and Practice Toward a Positive ...

A Meaning-Based, Two-Factor Theory of Self-Esteem 151worthiness involves values such as general social values concerningwhat is desirable, feelings of being valued in a relationship, and individualself-values. It would be difficult to use the horizontal axis to representvalues because that axis is usually used to rank order moreobservable phenomena and because values are typically arranged interms of ascending importance or desirability. Thus, it is more descriptiveto think of worthiness and unworthiness as spanning a hierarchicalrange which, of course, is best illustrated with a vertical axis. Thosewho are well accepted and virtuous, for instance, would be found at theupper end, which is represented by the number 10. Those who live in achronic state of self-loathing would be in the lower region, perhapsnear the extreme of −10. Most of us would be somewhere between thetwo extremes, presumably somewhat higher than the 0 point.Note that one problem with the rectangle metaphor is that it providesno way of telling which factor should be height and which oneshould be length. In addition, the figure of a rectangle is capable of takingso many different forms that it does not express the relationship betweencompetence and worthiness well. These aspects of the analogy are problematicbecause the fundamental structure of self-esteem, as well as theliterature on the two factors, indicates that competence and worthinessstand in a particular relationship with one another to create self-esteem,and that this interaction is such that it is balanced. The only four-sidedfigure that corresponds to these conditions is, of course, a square. Thus,it may not be coincidental that when the horizontal axis of competence isbisected by the vertical line of worthiness, and vice versa, the figure thatemerges is that of this particular rectangle.THE BASIC TYPES OF SELF-ESTEEMIn Chapter 3 we saw that there are several types and levels of self-esteemsuch as fragile, secure, high, low, stable, unstable, defensive, true, paradoxical,optimal, and so forth. An effective theory of self-esteem mustnot only account for such findings but should also demonstrate how theyare even possible in the first place. Therefore, an integrated understandingof self-esteem must show how a relationship between the two factorsof competence and worthiness is able to generate types of self-esteem anddo so in a way that is reasonably consistent with the research on them.Figure 5.2 shows that when competence and worthiness are placed indynamic relation to one another, as required by the fundamental structureof self-esteem, the result is the formation of four quadrants, each ofwhich is qualitatively and quantitatively distinct from the others.