Self-esteem: An Evolutionary-Developmental Approach

While the research literature is replete with studies focusing on the developmental factors that affect self-esteem, little attention has been paid to the source or functions of the self-esteem motive itself. The present paper aims at exploring some ways in which an evolutionary-developmental psychological (EDP) perspective can explain the adaptive nature of self-esteem. This paper attempts to address some important issues that are the focus of evolutionary psychology, including, possible evolutionary functions of self-esteem, by focusing on two theories namely, the Terror Management Theory (TMT) and the Sociometer Theory. Additionally, this review also attempts to identify some of the links between self-esteem and social relationships using an evolutionary-developmental psychological (EDP) framework.