Self-criticism And Self-enhancement: Theory, Research, And Clinical Implications

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In recent years we have witnessed a proliferation of writing on "positive psychology" that focuses on variables such as optimism, personal control, self-esteem, and personal striving. At the same time, much of recent pop psychology has emphasized the importance of overcoming different forms of self-criticism, including poor self-esteem and perfectionism. These positive or negative variables clearly influence the quality of our lives. But is self-criticism always a bad thing, and is self-enhancement really so unequivocally good? What are the costs and benefits associated with each? In Self-Criticism and Self-Enhancement: Theory, Research, and Clinical Implications, editor Edward C. Chang has enlisted over 25 distinguished psychologists and scholars who present the pros and cons of regarding self-criticism or self-enhancement as either "good" or "bad." Collectively, they illustrate the benefits of evaluating these concepts more complexly to demonstrate how negative and positive psychological variables may function as a virtue in one situation and as a vice in another situation. Drawing on the works of both philosophers and researchers, the contributors search for a deeper and broader understanding of these fundamental psychological concepts, and they evaluate their effect on individuals and the larger society.

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SELF-CRITICISM AND SELF-ENHANCEMENT Theory, Research, and Clinical Implications Edited by Edward C. Chang American Psychological Association Washington, DC Copyright © 2008 by the American Psychological Association. All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the United States Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed in any form or by any means, including, but not limited to, the process of scanning and digitization, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior written permission of the publisher. Published by American Psychological Association 750 First Street, NE Washington, DC 20002 www.apa.org To order APA Order Department P.O. Box 92984 Washington, DC 20090-2984 Tel: (800) 374-2721; Direct: (202) 336-5510 Fax: (202) 336-5502; TDD/TTY: (202) 336-6123 Online: www.apa.org/books/ E-mail: [email protected] In the U.K., Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, copies may be ordered from American Psychological Association 3 Henrietta Street Covent Garden, London WC2E 8LU England Typeset in Goudy by Stephen McDougal, Mechanicsville, MD Printer: Maple-Vail Book Manufacturing, Binghamton, NY Cover Designer: Naylor Design, Washington, DC Technical/Production Editor: Tiffany L. Klaff The opinions and statements published are the responsibility of the authors, and such opinions and statements do not necessarily represent the policies of the American Psychological Association. Library of Congress Cataloging'in-Publication Data Self-criticism and self-enhancement: theory, research, and clinical implications / edited by Edward C. Chang, p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN-13: 978-1-4338-0115-0 ISBN-10: 1-4338-0115-9 1. Criticism, Personal. 2. Self-perception. I. Chang, Edward C, (Edward Chin-Ho) BF637.C74S45 2008 155.2'5—dc22 British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data A CIP record is available from the British Library. Printed in the United States of America First Edition 2007016026 To my dear parents, Tae Myung-Sook and Chang Suk-Choon, who taught me well as a child that self-criticism and self-enhancement are not givens; rather, they are privileged choices one can make use of in life. To my wife, who, like myself, works hard for everyone but herself. Not selfcriticism, not self-enhancement, but self-sacrifice! She was taught by the best—her loving and hardworking