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

152 SELF-ESTEEM RESEARCH, THEORY, AND PRACTICEWorthiness+10Worthiness-Based Self-EsteemHighSelf-EsteemCompetence –100+10LowSelf-EsteemCompetence-Based Self-Esteem–10Figure 5.2Self-Esteem Meaning Matrix with Basic Types of Self-Esteem.As the diagram indicates, it is not accidental that we encounteredresearch on different types of self-esteem: They are inherent to its fundamentalstructure. Indeed, that the relationship between competence andworthiness spontaneously generates four possibilities means that theremust be types of self-esteem. Otherwise, something is wrong with ourunderstanding of the fundamental structure. Fortunately, a phenomenologicalanalysis not only incorporates one of the most important selfesteemfindings in the field but actually predicts it. The next step is toexamine whether the characteristics associated with the four types of selfesteemnecessitated by the fundamental structure are consistent withmajor research findings in the field.Low Self-EsteemAccording to the two-factor theory, low self-esteem involves living botha lack of competence and a lack of worthiness. Such a configuration onlyoccurs in the lower left quadrant of the matrix. It is easy to imagine howthe combination of reduced coping skills and a shrunken reservoir of positiveself-feeling would make people vulnerable in this fashion. For example,they would not have much protection from the shield that self-esteemoffers against the slings and arrows of life, and they would be ill-equipped