Evolutionary Based Theories of Self-Esteem
Similarities, Differences of Sociometer & Terror Management Theory
Nov 6, 2009
Sociometer Theory states that each individual human being has an internal gauge, known as a sociometer, which monitors the environment for threats to social inclusion. Terror Management Theory is an explanation of self-esteem based on two major components: the fear of death and an understanding of a cultural world view.
Similarities of Sociometer Theory and Terror Management Theory
Both theories are evolutionary based and suggest that self-esteem developed as it provided an advantage to individuals (Leary, 2004). Human relationships (Pysczcynski, Greenberg, Solomon, Arndt and Schimel, 2004a) and the regulation of human behaviours (Pysczcynski, Greenberg, Solomon, Arndt and Schimel, 2004b) are important features in both Sociometer Theory and Terror Management Theory.
A requirement for cultural standards and people to consider themselves as part of a social group (Leary, 2004) and an understanding that the evaluations of others in the social group play a role in self-esteem maintenance (Pysczcynski, Greenberg, Solomon, Arndt and Schimel, 2004) are features of both Sociometer Theory and Terror Management Theory. Ryan and Deci (2004) noted that both Sociometer Theory and Terror Management Theory focus on the defensive aspects of self-esteem rather than positive.
A further similarity between Sociometer Theory and Terror Management Theory is that neither theory has been able to provide concrete evidence that it is the sole explanation for the role and function of self-esteem (Leary, 2004); however Pyszczynski, Greenberg, Solomon, Arndt and Schimel (2004) claim that Terror Management Theory is the only explanation of self-esteem that current empirical evidence supports. This claim has been criticised by Leary (2004), Crocker and Nuer (2004) and Ryan and Deci (2004), who provide alternative viewpoints.
Differences between Sociometer Theory and Terror Management Theory
Both Sociometer Theory and Terror Management Theory attempt to explain the need for self-esteem in human life however there are fundamental differences in the theoretical viewpoints. Terror Management Theory focuses on the suggestion that self-esteem is a culturally based mechanism which operates to reduce the anxiety caused by thoughts of death (Greenberg, Pyszczynski and Solomon, 1986). On the other hand, Sociometer Theory posits that self-esteem is an internal gauge and is important to ensure that an individual is not likely to be excluded from his or her social group.
Terror Management Theory disagrees with this social group exclusion explanation of Sociometer Theory and explains that both self-esteem and cultural views are social constructs which require external validation. Sociometer Theory states that an individual’s self-esteem is calculated on the basis of positive and negative interpersonal relationships and the strength of the social group comparative to other groups (Kirkpatrick and Ellis, 2003).
Neither Sociometer Theory nor Terror Management has been able to prove conclusively that it is the sole theory of the role and function of self-esteem (Leary, 2004). Although there are fundamental differences between the two viewpoints, both theories suggest that self-esteem’s role is to regulate individual behaviours in order to promote pro-social behaviour.
Sources:
Crocker, J., & Nuer, N. (2004). "Do people need self-esteem? Comment on Pyszcynski et al." (2004). Psychological Bulletin, 190(3), 469-472.
Greenberg, J., Pyszczynski, T., & Solomon, S. (1986). "The causes and consequences of a need for self-esteem: a terror management theory." In R. F. Baumeister (Ed), Public Self and Private Self (pp. 189-212). New York: Springer-Verlag New York Inc.
Kirkpatrick, L. A., & Ellis, B. J. (2003). "An evolutionary-psychological approach to self-esteem: multiple domains and multiple functions." In G. J. O. Fletcher & M. S. Clark (Eds.), Blackwell Handbook of Social Psychology: Interpersonal Processes (pp 411-435). Padstow, Cornwall, England: Blackwell Publishers Ltd
Leary, M. R., (2004). "The function of self-esteem in terror management theory and sociometer theory: comment on Pyszczynski et al." (2004). Psychological Bulletin, 190(3), 478-482.
Pyszczynski, T., Greenberg, J., Solomon, S., Arndt, J., & Schimel, J. (2004a). "Why do people need self-esteem? A theoretical and empirical review." Psychological Bulletin, 190(3), 435-468.
Pyszczynski, T., Greenberg, J., Solomon, S., Arndt, J., & Schimel, J. (2004b). "Converging toward an integrated theory of self-esteem: reply to Crocker and Nuer" (2004), Ryan and Deci (2004) and Leary (2004). Psychological Bulletin, 190(3), 483-488.
Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. (2004). "Avoiding death or engaging life as accounts of meaning and culture: comment on Pyszczynski et al." (2004). Psychological Bulletin, 190(3), 473-477.
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