The content and application of the lay theory of self-esteem

In research using close-ended measures, people evaluate individuals labeled as having low self-esteem (LSE) more negatively than those with high self-esteem (HSE). The present research found participants' open-ended descriptions of LSE and HSE were just as polarized. Although participants saw a negative side to HSE (self-absorption; Studies 1 and 2) and when directly prompted saw a positive side to LSE (humble; Study 2), they did not consistently apply these complementary perspectives when forming impressions of targets (Study 3). Instead, participants viewed HSE targets more positively across almost all traits. Although people can list a dark side to HSE and a bright side to LSE, when asked to form an impression, people see a halo on the heads of HSE targets.