Everyone has good days and bad days.
Sometimes, you feel as if you're on top of the world. But occasionally you feel horrible, and you lose
things and you cannot focus on your schoolwork.
For more than 20 years, scientists have suggested that high selfesteem (自尊) is the key to success.
Now, new research shows that focusing just on building selfesteem may not be helpful. In some cases,
having high selfesteem can bring bad results if it makes you less likeable or more upset when you fail at
something.
"Forget about selfesteem, " says Jennifer Crocker, a psychologist (心理学家) at the University of
Michigan, US, "It's not the important thing. "
Feeling good
Crocker's advice may sound a bit strange because it is good to feel good about yourself.
Studies show that people with high selfesteem are less likely to be depressed, anxious, shy, or lonely
than those with low selfesteem.
But, after reviewing about 18,000 studies on selfesteem, Roy Baumeister, a psychologist at Florida
State University, has found that building up your selfesteem will not necessarily make you a better person.
He believes that violent and wicked (邪恶的) people often have the highest selfesteem of all. He also
said:"There's no evidence that kids with high selfesteem do better in school. "
Problems
All types of people have problems. People with high selfesteem can have big egos (自我) that can
make them less likeable to their peers (同龄人), said Kathleen Vohs, a psychology professor at
Columbia University.
People with high selfesteem tend to think more of themselves, Vohs says. People with low selfesteem
are more likely to rely on their friends when they need help.
What to do
Researchers say it is best to listen to and support other people. Find positive ways to contribute to
society. If you fail at something try to learn from the experience. "The best therapy (药方) is to recognize
your faults," Vohs says. "It's OK to say, I'm not so good at that, and then move on."
1. It is concluded in the research that high selfesteem________.
A. is not important at all
B. has taken on a different meaning
C. may not be the key to success
D. does not help you do better at school
2. According to the research, people with high selfesteem________.
A. have better relationship with people of their own age
B. are more likely to become violent and wicked
C. tend to be proud and do not care much about others
D. often feel depressed and can't focus on their work
3. The advice in the last paragraph is mainly for people________.
A. with high selfesteem
B. with low selfesteem
C. who are still at school
D. who are good at everything
