How is self-esteem defined in social psychology?

Self-esteem in social psychology is defined as a subjective evaluation of one's worth. This concept emphasizes how individuals perceive and feel about themselves, which can vary widely from person to person based on various factors, including experiences, feedback from others, and personal beliefs.

This subjective evaluation means that self-esteem is shaped by personal feelings and thoughts rather than objective metrics or comparisons to others. For instance, two individuals might have different self-esteem levels despite having similar skills or achievements because their internal evaluations of themselves differ. This highlights the personal nature of self-esteem, reflecting how individuals assess their own value in unique ways.

The other choices focus on more objective or comparative measures, such as assessing skills or intelligence. While these can play a role in one's self-esteem, they do not capture the essence of self-esteem as an internal and subjective experience. Additionally, a standardized assessment implies a fixed measurement which contradicts the individualized nature of how self-esteem is experienced and understood.