A Jamesian model of self-investment and self-esteem: Comment on Pelham (1995).

Abstract

B. W. Pelham (1995) proposed new perspectives for a weighted-average model of esteem based on W. James (1890) and responded to my (H. W. Marsh, 1993b) critique of B. W. Pelham and W. B. Swann (1989). In this Jamesian perspective, the effect of a specific self-view on global esteem is moderated by the importance an individual places on the self-view. For example, if one judges musical skills to be unimportant, then one's self-evaluation of musical skill should have little effect on one's self-esteem. The intuitive appeal of this Jamesian perspective is so compelling that it has been widely accepted for over 100 years despite a dearth of supportive research. B. W. Pelham and I seem to agree that support is weaker than previously assumed and limited primarily to specific traits and, perhaps, specific subgroups of individuals. This continuing dialogue offers new theoretical insights and methodological advances for this central issue in self-concept research.