Self-esteem rises from joining the positively valued and distancing from the negatively valued.

Evidence

This modern view of social comparison describes self-esteem as influenced by the interrelationship of perceived relation of self to other (person or group) and evaluation of other. High self-esteem accompanies either association to positively valued others or dissociation from negatively valued others. — Anthony G. Greenwald and Mahzarin R. Banaji, Implicit Social Cognition, 157

Categorization

• DEFINE: States the core principle of self-evaluation maintenance theory in causal terms.
• XREF: connects to: Self-esteem operates implicitly through self-serving judgment biases that also buttress the self. — Anthony G. Greenwald and Mahzarin R. Banaji, Implicit Social Cognition: Attitudes,…, 152; Basking in reflected glory and downward comparison are complementary affiliation strategies for self-esteem. — Anthony G. Greenwald and Mahzarin R. Banaji, Implicit Social Cognition: Attitudes,…, 161; Threatened self-worth increases outgroup derogation, which then restores self-esteem — John F. Dovidio, Peter Glick, Laurie A. Rudman, On the Nature of Prejudice: Fifty Years…, 1173 (+6 more)

Broader Connections

• Threatened self-worth increases outgroup derogation, which then restores self-esteem #expands (0.90) — John F. Dovidio, Peter Glick, Laurie A. Rudman, On the Nature of Prejudice, 1173
• Discriminating against out-groups directly raises self-esteem #exemplifies (0.88) — John T. Jost and Jim Sidanius, Political Psychology, 2734
• Disparaging a lower-status group psychologically uplifts the higher-status group #exemplifies (0.87) — Sheldon Solomon, Jeff Greenberg, Tom Pyszczynski, The Worm at the Core, 236
• Self-esteem needs can drive group members toward discrimination that shields high in-group status. #expands (0.85) — Roderick M. Kramer, Geoffrey J. Leonardelli, Robert W. Livingston, Social Cognition, Social Identity, and…, 852
• People pursue self-worth through favorable evaluations of their groups #expands (0.85) — John F. Dovidio, Peter Glick, Laurie A. Rudman, On the Nature of Prejudice, 1495
• Mere group membership suffices to trigger self-esteem-linked favoritism. #exemplifies (0.80) — Anthony G. Greenwald and Mahzarin R. Banaji, Implicit Social Cognition, 126
• Individual self-esteem and emotions depend on the standing of one’s social groups #qualifies (0.75)