Individual Behavior

By Raul Bernardino

Introduction:

The terms of the self-esteem is usually uses in the psychology in which to expose the individuals are either it is for the personal assessment or judgment or consideration of her/his own values.  The self-esteem becomes an integral part of the person characteristic to make an adjustment or decision making. The self-esteem is the ability of the individual to face future challenges in life and also an ability to achieve the enjoy-full. The self-esteem is also built from time to time where the individuals are learned and experience from fail and success.

The synonym or the closer meaning of the self-esteem is self worth, self respect, and self integrity. According to the Heritage Dictionary of the English Language of the America, it is also called self-love in which “means the instinct or desire to promote one's well-being”

The self-love it is also commented and explained by philosopher and psychologist. Erich Fromm (1956) stated that “loving one-self is different from being arrogant or ego-centric”. In this statement are most likely to love his or her own ability either it is strong or weak. In this approach, he explained that they are aware and care themselves, take the responsibility for themselves, they are more realistic of knowing their own situation. These can help the society in which they will be respecting and loving others first before themselves. In other word, because of knowing one-self or care one-self, they will be prioritizing other needs first before their own needs.  In this part, most used by secular people in which to sacrifice themselves for the best of other persons. This is also appeared in the Christian bible and ten commandment of God in Christian followers   ”Love other as you love yourselves”.

Michael Kernis of the University of Georgia,  "People with fragile high self-esteem compensate for their self-doubts by engaging in exaggerated tendencies to defend, protect and enhance their feelings of self-worth" These are another approach from Michael Kernis in which explained quite details of the high self-esteem and low self-esteem, including in some part totally opposite from Erich Fromm approach.

In Michael Kernis and other researcher found that the high self-esteem has two different distinct. In some situation the high self-esteem has good live product. However, if come to attack situation the high self-esteem become an aggressive behavior. In this part, it is just similar to low self-esteem. Therefore, it is believe that high self-esteem have different form.

Why this is happened?  Because it is depending on how the psychologist views the human psyche of the self-esteem. It is various because different human being has difference temper and attitude base on each individual experience. Therefore, according to Michael Kernis, there are many studies done towards to high self-esteem and found that is not only a positive but it is also fragile and shadow. He was also distinct that high self-esteem is not the same as healthy self esteem in which have only one form. Furthermore, he categorizes high self esteem in to two different distinct in which are the fragile high self-esteem and the secure high self-esteem. In this case, the secure self-esteem is not a defensive person attitude that as the fragile one.  In general, the high self-esteem comes to argument and he or she believes that other person is attacking his or her argument; he becomes defensive and aggressive behavior.   

a.     Some analysis ‘I am best … in organization’:  the outcome reactions from other colleagues will be combining with the culture as well; he or she will be trigger that the statement is arrogant; because, not considering other people or staff which is maybe in some ways has contributed indirect or direct to your knowledge. Base on the concrete statement such as “I am likely the best Java programmer in this institution”. Even this statement is true; however, it has created a distance with your colleagues. It seems that not care others.

b.    Negative or positive reactions? I can a sure, that this will be most a negative reactions from other staff in the organization than positive one. Even you have done so many good things for the organization and for other staff; however, they will be just ignoring them if you make one wrong thing. In the country like TL, the rumors and gossips are fertile place to growth and very quick.

c.     What is your position in this case? Your position should let the situation and time to decide from them as a part of their learning processes rather than you have to tell them to decide. This way, you have right to resist and at the time they agreed about your capability to do the job, they will just allow to happen. As it is happened no negative part, this positive attitude also spread around the country and you will become a famous in good things. This can be also a part of group building or team building in the company or organization.

Nathaniel B. (1969) defined self-esteem as "...the experience of being competent to cope with the basic challenges of life and being worthy of happiness".

Conclusion:  

The individual behaviors are having a direct or indirect impact to the group performance. The individual behavior is spreading and contributing in to the team in the company or organization to result the ability and performance. Therefore, the self-esteem is an important and an integral part of the individuals to assess and doing judgment and adjustment in order to take challenges in the group. In this case, I will use Erich Fromm principle that cares other first before care yourself.

This also comes to the attention of the employer in order to hire and select right person into the right position in the company, institution, organization, etc. Because Nathanael said … that the individual experiences are in the right place will be becoming a competent and also will be resulting a high performance in the organization.

References List:

·         PTMNGT_WK2_Lecture_notes

·         Self-esteem  [Online] Available from:   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-esteem    (accessed date: March 16, 2011)

·         Self-esteem  [Online] Available from:   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-esteem#cite_note-2  (accessed date: March 16, 2011)                             

·         What is Self Esteem? [Online] Available from:   http://www.more-selfesteem.com/whatisselfesteem.htm  (accessed date: March 16, 2011)

·         High Self-Esteem Is Not Always What It's Cracked Up To Be [Online] Available from:  

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080428084235.htm (accessed date: March 16, 2011)

·         Christian H. Jordan, Steven J. Spencer, and ALL (2003), Secure and Defensive High Self-Esteem [Online] Available from:   http://www.lrsi.uqam.ca/documents/PSY9520/07%20-%20le%20soi%20implicite/jordan%20et%20al.,%202003.pdf  (accessed date: March 16, 2011)