Self-Traps: The Elusive Quest for Higher Self-Esteem (Hardcover)

~ William B., Jr. Swann (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Social psychologist Swann (Univ. of Texas, Austin) has written a comprehensive and engrossing survey of the literature on self-esteem. The author uses John Bowlby's attachment theory to explain the origins of low self-esteem and theorizes that raising self-esteem is difficult because such a change is too threatening to our self-views?even when those views may cause us great pain. Swann presents his research on the role of others in reaffirming self-views and argues that, in addition to looking inward, we must examine the relationships that sustain our conceptions of who we are in order to understand ourselves. The work concludes with a discussion of how society can encourage and perpetuate feelings of self-worth. This lucid, well-written book on a popular topic is highly recommended for all but the smallest public and academic libraries.?January Adams, Franklin Twp. P.L., Somerset, N.J.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Description

In this wide-ranging and strikingly original book, William Swann not only dissects the mistaken assumptions that underlie current self-esteem programmes, but also incisively analyses the nature of self-worth and the 'self-traps' that make achieving and sustaining a sense of self-esteem so difficult. Self-Traps offers a fascinating, controversial exploration of how self-esteem conflicts develop and are played out in all our relationships. It shows how the authentic achievement of self-esteem is often undermined by social norms of competence and love, and discusses what could be done to encourage and sustain feelings of self-worth in society.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 236 pages
• Publisher: Westview Press (April 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0716728982
• ISBN-13: 978-0716728986
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #599,213 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Real Science not just Self-Help, June 25, 1999

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

Swan is a professor at University of Texas in Austin. His book deals (in better detail then I've seen anywhere)with how we fail to gain self-esteem in the first place and how hard it is to learn it later. He doesn't offer a three point program for caring about yourself. In fact, his findings seem to say that people without self-esteem have had a hard life. He feels they develop a comfort zone that doesn't include good things or good people. He says this because that is what his research shows and research isn't a word that many self-help books ever use.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Looks at societal influences that lead to self-sabotage, September 3, 1998

By A Customer

This book helps the reader to understand how societal norms lead to self-defeating thoughts and behaviors. While most self-help books focus on individual behavior this book looks at a bigger picture. Great source for research.