contingencies of self-worth

particular areas of life in which people invest their self-esteem, such that feedback regarding their standing or abilities in these domains has a strong effect on their self-concept. Research indicates that people choose to stake their self-esteem in different domains, so that for some people material or professional success is vital to their sense of self-worth, whereas for others this is much less important than being well liked or sexually attractive. Also called contingencies of self-esteem. [first described in 2001 by U.S. psychologist Jennifer Crocker (1952– )]

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Psychology term of the day

May 10th 2024

Clérambault’s syndrome

a form of erotic paranoia in which a person has delusions that someone else, who is typically older and of higher social status, is in love with him or her. The person continues to hold this belief despite having little contact with the other person and no reciprocation of feelings. The condition is more common in females than in males. Also called de Clérambault’s syndrome. [first described in 1922 by Gaëtan Gatian de Clérambault (1872–1934), French physician]