Editing Self-esteem (section)

== Theories ==
Many early theories suggested that self-esteem is a basic human need or [[motivation]]. American psychologist, [[Abraham Maslow]] included self-esteem in his [[hierarchy of human needs]]. He described two different forms of "esteem": the need for respect from others in the form of recognition, success, and admiration, and the need for self-respect in the form of self-love, self-confidence, skill, or aptitude.<ref name=":8">{{cite book |last=Maslow |first=A. H. |year=1987 |title=Motivation and Personality |edition=3rd |location=New York |publisher=Harper & Row |isbn=978-0060419875 }}</ref> Respect from others was believed to be more fragile and easily lost than inner self-esteem. According to Maslow, without the fulfillment of the self-esteem need, individuals will be driven to seek it and unable to grow and obtain self-actualization. Maslow also states that the healthiest expression of self-esteem "is the one which manifests in the respect we deserve for others, more than renown, fame, and flattery".  Modern theories of self-esteem explore the reasons humans are motivated to maintain a high regard for themselves. [[Sociometer]] theory maintains that self-esteem evolved to check one's level of status and acceptance in one's social group. According to ''[[Terror Management Theory]]'', self-esteem serves a protective function and reduces anxiety about life and death.<ref name=":9">{{cite journal |last=Greenberg |first=J. |year=2008 |title=Understanding the vital human quest for self-esteem |journal=Perspectives on Psychological Science |volume=3 |issue=1 |pages=48–55 |doi=10.1111/j.1745-6916.2008.00061.x |pmid=26158669 |s2cid=34963030 }}</ref>

[[Carl Rogers]] (1902–1987), an advocate of [[humanistic psychology]], theorized the origin of many people's problems to be that they despise themselves and consider themselves worthless and incapable of being loved. This is why Rogers believed in the importance of giving unconditional acceptance to a client and when this was done it could improve the client's self-esteem.<ref name="Bonet"/> In his therapy sessions with clients, he offered positive regard no matter what.<ref>{{cite journal |author1=Wickman S.A. |author2=Campbell C. | year = 2003 | title = An analysis of how Carl Rogers enacted client-centered conversation with Gloria | journal = Journal of Counseling & Development | volume = 81 | issue = 2| pages = 178–184 | doi=10.1002/j.1556-6678.2003.tb00239.x}}</ref> Indeed, the concept of self-esteem is approached since then in humanistic psychology as an [[inalienable right]] for every person, summarized in the following sentence:

{{cquote|Every human being, with no exception, for the mere fact to be it, is worthy of unconditional respect of everybody else; he deserves to esteem himself and to be esteemed.<ref name="Bonet" />}}