Definition:

The Self-Evaluation Maintenance (SEM) Model is a psychological theory that explains how individuals manage their self-esteem in relation to the achievements and successes of close others.

Key Concepts:

1. Self-Esteem: The overall evaluation of one’s own worth and value.

2. Social Comparison: The process of comparing oneself to others to evaluate one’s own abilities or opinions.

3. Reflection: The tendency to associate oneself with the achievements and successes of others.

4. Relevance: The extent to which a particular domain or achievement is personally relevant to an individual.

5. Threat: The perception that one’s self-esteem is at risk due to social comparison or the success of a close other.

6. Distance: The psychological and emotional closeness between oneself and the close other.

Basic Assumptions:

1. Individuals strive to maintain a positive self-evaluation and protect their self-esteem.

2. Self-esteem can be influenced by the achievements and successes of others, particularly those who are close to us.

3. The impact of someone else’s success on an individual’s self-esteem depends on the relevance and importance of that domain to the individual.

4. Social comparison and reflection can either enhance or threaten an individual’s self-esteem, depending on the circumstances.

5. The emotional closeness or distance between oneself and the close other influences the impact of their success on one’s self-esteem.

Application:

The Self-Evaluation Maintenance Model is widely used in the fields of social psychology and self-esteem research. It provides insights into how individuals manage their self-esteem in various social situations. This model has practical applications in understanding interpersonal dynamics, jealousy, and the impact of social media on individuals’ self-perception.