Self-confidence and self-esteem are two terms that are often confused with each other, especially in the context of psychology and counseling. While both concepts are linked with self-efficacy, it is important to understand their distinct features and how they differ from one another.
Key Takeaways
- Self-esteem refers to an individual’s overall perception and evaluation of themselves, whether positive or negative.
- Self-confidence is the belief in one’s abilities and is often reflected in a person’s performance, style, and personality.
- Although closely related, self-esteem and self-confidence are not synonyms and can vary independently from one another.
Self-esteem is the perception you have of yourself as an individual. It is the overall evaluation of yourself, whether positive or negative. For example, if you are a writer and believe that you are a good writer, you have high self-esteem. Conversely, a student who consistently performs poorly in tests may develop low self-esteem about their capabilities, which can be reinforced by criticism from teachers and peers. Self-esteem can have a significant impact on an individual’s actions and achievements.
Self-confidence, on the other hand, is the belief in your abilities, such as knowing that you can jump over a certain height as a high jumper. This confidence may also be reflected in your performance, allowing you to take on higher responsibilities. Self-confidence is the sum total of confidence in your abilities, not just in a specific task. High self-confidence can sometimes help individuals perform tasks despite limited abilities.
While it may seem that self-confidence and self-esteem are near synonyms, they are not. Self-esteem is your internal analysis of yourself and your own worth, while self-confidence is what the world sees in your demeanor and mannerisms. It can even influence your style and personality. When a child is born, they have limited abilities, and as they grow into an adult, they develop a sense of self-appraisal or evaluation, known as self-esteem. Self-confidence, however, is the belief in one’s abilities that develops alongside their skills.
There are cases of celebrities who appear to be very self-confident but have low self-esteem, leading to issues such as depression and suicide. Having high self-esteem can help improve one’s self-confidence, but the two concepts are not interchangeable and can vary independently from one another.
