Читать книгу The Communication Playbook - Teri Kwal Gamble - Страница 128

Might an overemphasis on reinforcing self-esteem, especially in individuals whose self-esteem is already high, lead to an increase in bullying and narcissism?

Bullies are often among the most popular people.²⁰ This popularity can lead to self-appraisalsthat are unrealistically inflated.²¹ Typically, high self-esteem combined with a sense of arrogance and narcissistic tendencies contributes to bullying.²²

iStock/PeopleImages

Next, consider the adulation given to professional athletes, musicians, movie stars, and trendsetters on social networks. Our behavior toward them helps precipitate the self-centered, egomaniacal characteristics that they too often exhibit.

Do you think that we should balance the amount of praise we give to public figures, lest we feed their sense of self-importance to outsized proportions? When self-esteem is undeservedly high, people tend to ignore their own weaknesses. They suffer from an inflated sense of their worth, displaying an inappropriate overconfidence in their abilities. Unprepared for criticism, however, they quickly fall apart if told that they are wrong or lacking in some ability.²³

Unlike those with high self-esteem, people with low self-esteem primarily define themselves by their limitations and can be negative about a lot of things. Those who possess either extremely high or low self-esteem do share something in common, however: self-absorption.