Exploring the Connection between Self-Defeating Humor and Self-Esteem

Self-Defeating Humor and Self-Esteem Self-concept is an individual’s compilation of feelings, self-perception, and an idea of the basis of human personality. Self-esteem, usually identified in a positive approach, is the concept of one’s confidence in abilities and self worth, and the idea of self-respect. Self-evaluative standards evidently have a vital role in shaping future emotions and subsequent behaviors (Kuiper & McHale, 2009; 143.4: 359-76). According to Abraham Maslow’s Theory of Self-Actualization, self-esteem, notably confidence in oneself, respect for and by others, is achieved after physiological needs, safety needs, and love and belonging needs. Self-esteem, then, is combination of several characteristics, which result in a physiological

Heavy self-criticism, envy and a pessimistic attitude follow (Kirsh, 2005). Three states of self-esteem are identified: Strong self-esteem is when they have a positive self-image and are secure enough to make decisions and remain unaffected by any adverse scenario that would cause detrimental effects. Vulnerable self-esteem is when there is a positive self-image yet their ability to maintain it is not reliable. People with a vulnerable self-esteem avoid making decisions, blame others when situations were to turn sour to protect their own reputation. People who do not regard themselves as admirable or valuable, defeated and immerse in self-pity, define shattered self-esteem. Shattered self-esteem is undoubtedly related to low self-esteem

Psychological well-being is dependent on an individual’s ability to validate oneself by evaluation through comparison of set standards. These standards are usually normative by expected values expressed in their community (Kuiper & McHale, 2009). Using maladaptive styles of humor at the expense of one’s own psychological well-being, namely self-defeating humor, can then be understood as a means of expressing the perception that one does not live up to the norms. Keeping in mind that this humor may seem light and in good faith to the listeners, the teller may question, “Are they laughing with me, or are they laughing at me?” To address this question, it is important to note that individuals using self-defeating humor display an increased level of depression and validate themselves more often of negative self-evaluative standards. This directly results in the individual having a level of self-esteem significantly lower than an individual using adaptive self-enhancing humor. These negative standards held cause firm beliefs, which instigate dependence of one’s own happiness on being social acceptance (Stieger, 2010). If such dependencies manifest, constant use of self-defeating humor results in contingencies about self-worth such as the certainty that the individual is disapproved by and rejected by others. This results in a vicious cycle: Self-injurious humor sends the