ABSTRACT
With a few notable exceptions, most research on self-esteem has focused exclusively on level of trait self-esteem—whether people typically or characteristically have high or low self-regard. Independent of whether people have high or low trait self-esteem, however, they may pursue self-esteem. That is, they may organize their behavior around the goal of maintaining, protecting, or enhancing self-esteem by demonstrating that they have certain abilities or qualities (Crocker & Park, 2004a). People with either high or low trait self-esteem may pursue self-esteem.
