The effects of self-reliance on the successful use of self-reinforcement

The present study was designed to examine the relationship between the success of self-reinforcement (as defined by its effectiveness in increasing a given response) and a specific aspect of positive self-esteem that would seem most clearly related to the effectiveness of self-reinforcement, valuing one’s own opinions and judgements highly. Self-esteem implies a positive feeling or attitude about oneself. One factor involved in the acquisition of this positive attitude is the level of the individual’s confidence in the legitimacy of his own opinions. The more confident a person is that his opinions are of value, the more likely it is he will have a high self-esteem