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In Freudian theory, low self-esteem is the Superego’s punishment for “bad” behavior. The Superego represents the moral branch of our functioning and contains ideals for which we strive as well as punishments we expect if we violate ethical codes. It is an internal representation of the moral rules of the external social world. It does not distinguish between thought and action, punishing the individual for merely thinking something without acting on the thought. It drives the individual toward black-white, all-none judgments and the pursuit of perfection. The Superego can develop thoroughout life to be more flexible and less all-or-none, right-or-wrong (Pervin, Cervone, & John, 2005).

According to Heine, Lehman, Markus, & Kitayama, (1999), the concept of self-esteem is culturally influenced. In North American culture, high self-esteem is considered of utmost importance to mental health. This is not necessarily true of other cultures, namely the Japanese culture. While the North American ideal of individualism, self-reliance, and emphasis on personal strengths is viewed as necessary for positive self-esteem, in the Japanese culture, a positive view of the self is related to how well one is interacting and cooperating with others. Rather than emphasizing their strengths, the Japanese place importance on self-criticism and focusing on self-improvement and obliteration of one’s shortcomings. The concept of self-esteem is not even viewed as important in the Japanese culture.

If low self-esteem is viewed as the Superego’s punishment for bad behavior, then people in North America who do not live up to the cultural ideal of self-reliance, individuality, independence, and positive self-evaluation, are bound to suffer from low self-esteem. They are not living up to the cultural standard and thus are unconsciously punishing themselves for this. Perhaps such people have a drive to feel dependent but unconsciously feel that this drive is unacceptable in light of the culture’s demands for independence. Their drives are not matching up with cultural standards, necessitating the Superego’s punishment in the form of low self-esteem.

References:

Heine, S. J., Lehman, D. R., Markus, H. R., Kitayama, S., (1999); Is There a Universal Need for Positive Self-Regard? Psychological Review, Vol. 106, No. 4, 766-794.

Pervin, L. A., Cervone, D., & John, O. P. (2005). HS5214: Theories of personality [Custom]. New York: Wiley.

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