The bad guys, not the good guys, have high self-esteem. So says Dr. Roy F. Baumeister, whose article, Violent Pride, featured in the April issue of Scientific American, should be made required reading for every school board member, principal, teacher, therapist and parent in America. People with high self-esteem, says Baumeister, are likely to respond aggressively when their inflated view of themselves is threatened by criticism or perceived insult or when someone obstructs their need for gratification.
Gang members have high self-esteem.
So do spouse abusers. The Bible tells us that pride comes before a fall. John Rosemond is a family psychologist.