Self-esteem is often influenced by which of the following?

Self-esteem is fundamentally shaped by personal achievements and social comparisons. This is because self-esteem reflects an individual’s perceptions of their own worth or value, which is heavily influenced by how they measure their accomplishments in relation to others. Personal achievements, such as successes in career, education, or personal goals, provide a tangible basis for individuals to assess their abilities and self-worth.

Social comparisons also play a crucial role in shaping self-esteem; people often evaluate their own situations and feelings by comparing themselves to peers or societal standards. This can lead to increases in self-worth if one feels they are performing well relative to others but may also cause declines in self-esteem if they perceive themselves to be lacking compared to their peers.

Other choices, while they may influence aspects of an individual’s life, do not directly address the core elements that shape self-esteem. Professional connections and educational background can certainly contribute to opportunities and perceived status, but they are more indirect factors. Similarly, network size and community status touch on social and relational aspects rather than personal assessments of worth. Lastly, media portrayal and global achievements can affect societal views but often do not reflect an individual's internal sense of value or achievement, making them less directly relevant to the concept of self-esteem itself.