Self-Esteem Test
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Self-Esteem Test by SNU & UIUC Experts
The Rosenberg Scale is widely used in therapy, counseling, and academic research around the world. Developed by sociologist Morris Rosenberg in the 1960s, the scale includes just 10 simple questions that offer a quick but powerful look at how people see themselves.
Our self-esteem test is based on the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale—one of the most trusted tools in psychology—and our adaptation has been reviewed by psychology and statistics experts from institutions like Seoul National University and the University of Illinois to ensure reliability and validity.
Disclaimer
This test is for educational and personal reflection only. It’s not meant to replace a professional psychological evaluation or medical advice. If you're struggling with your mental health, please reach out to a licensed psychiatrist, therapist, or counselor.
Your results are for your own insight—they shouldn’t be used to make big life decisions. How you interpret and use them is up to you. By taking this test, you agree to Magazine Difference’s Privacy Policy.
Scoring and Interpretation
Your score on the Self-Esteem Test:
Source: Magazine Difference
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Author's Note
The Beauty We Chase
Ever looked in the mirror and wished you looked just a little better? You're definitely not alone. The desire to feel attractive is something almost all of us share—and today, people of every age and gender spend a lot of time trying to tweak or improve their appearance.
In psychology, self-esteem is all about how much we value and accept ourselves. But ironically, that sense of self is often closely tied to how we think we look. When we’re not happy with our appearance, it can chip away at our confidence and self-worth.
Cosmetic procedures? No longer a rare thing—they’ve gone mainstream. Not long ago, reality shows were giving away free plastic surgery like prizes. For many people, beauty isn’t just a dream—it’s a goal.
But here’s the question: If we change how we look, does it actually make us happier? Can appearance alone unlock a better life?
That’s something worth thinking about.
Why We're Drawn to Beauty
Our fascination with beauty might not be just cultural—it could be hardwired into us.
Studies have found that even infants just a few months old tend to look longer at faces that adults find attractive. Pretty wild, right? Before we’ve even learned to talk or understand social norms, we’re already showing a preference for certain kinds of faces.
Some psychologists believe this response is built-in. From an evolutionary point of view, attractive traits are often associated with health and strong genes—so it makes sense that we’d naturally be drawn to them.
And honestly, that checks out with how we respond to beauty today.
When you think about it, our love of beautiful things—from fashion and art to filters and celebrities—might just be a modern version of something ancient. Maybe we’re all wired to notice beauty. And maybe that’s okay.
The Surprising Power of Good Looks
We all know people are drawn to beauty—but can being attractive actually make you happier?
Turns out, it might. While it’s been known for a while that even babies prefer attractive faces, the connection between beauty and happiness hadn’t been deeply explored—until Harvard psychologist Nancy Etcoff took it on.
In a massive long-term study, Etcoff and her team tracked over 10,000 people who graduated from high school in Wisconsin in 1957. For the next 50 years, they followed their lives—rating facial attractiveness from old yearbook photos and using BMI to gauge body type in middle age. Then, they compared those traits with self-reported happiness and depression levels.
Here’s what they found:
- People who were rated more attractive in high school were about 5.5% happier—even 50 years later.
- Those with slimmer body types? 7.4% happier.
Now, that might not sound dramatic... until you compare it to other factors:
- A higher education level added just 4.6%
- Good health: 4.0%
- High income? Only 3.1%
In other words, being attractive was linked to more long-term happiness than being rich, healthy, or well-educated.
So why does looks matter so much? Etcoff points to something called the halo effect—the tendency to assume that someone who looks good must also be smart, kind, or capable. Attractive people are more likely to get hired, promoted, paid better, and succeed romantically. That steady stream of positive feedback builds confidence—and over time, satisfaction.
As Etcoff explains, “Attractive people often get affirming signals that boost their self-esteem. And since relationships play such a huge role in happiness, being able to connect more easily may be a big reason they report feeling better about life.”
What Really Makes Us Happy?
At the end of the day, it’s not just looks that make us happy—it’s how we’re treated by the people around us. Being seen as kind, warm, and likable turns out to be a stronger predictor of happiness than appearance alone.
Sure, the way we look plays a role in first impressions. But it’s only one part of the story.
Interestingly, research shows that even professional models—people often viewed as the beauty ideal—report lower life satisfaction than the general population. Despite their looks, many struggle with things like loneliness, unstable relationships, or a lack of meaning.
Real happiness rarely comes from the mirror. It comes from feeling connected, supported, and truly valued. That sense of self-worth grows through relationships—with friends, family, and community—and with yourself.
The best part? You don’t need to look “perfect” to have those things.
Anyone can build strong friendships, deepen family ties, and learn to appreciate who they are—regardless of appearance.
So how are you feeling about yourself today?
If you're curious, try taking the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. It’s a simple, research-backed way to check in with yourself—and maybe start seeing yourself a little differently.