Plain English Meaning

Esteem is feeling respected by others and believing in your own ability. When a student feels valued and capable, they learn better and try harder.

Full Definition

In the context of human needs and learning motivation, esteem refers to the level of personal worth and recognition a learner feels — both the respect they receive from others and the self-respect that comes from competence and achievement. It is the human need that, once met, supports confidence, initiative, and willingness to take on new challenges in training.

Context Anchor

Seen in instructor training when discussing how a flight instructor encourages learning by meeting a student’s human needs.

Derivation

From the Latin aestimare, meaning 'to value' or 'to appraise.' The original sense was placing a value on something. In learning theory, that value is placed on the person — both by themselves and by those around them.