Conditions of Worth

Conditions of worth are the standards or expectations that people feel they must meet to be valued or accepted by others, often shaped by their environment, such as family, school, or society. When individuals believe they need to behave a certain way or achieve certain goals to gain approval, they may ignore their true feelings or desires. This can lead to feelings of shame or inadequacy if they fall short of these expectations. Recognizing conditions of worth helps understand how external pressures influence self-esteem and personal growth, often causing people to live in ways that aren't authentic to who they truly are.