Self esteem is the _____.

The correct answer is Option (2) → value judgement of a person about their own self

Option (1) confidence the person has in himself/herself — Incorrect. Confidence in oneself is a feeling of being able to handle things, which comes close to self-efficacy. Self-esteem is a judgement of one’s own worth, which can be low even in a person who is confident about certain tasks.

Option (2) value judgement of a person about their own self — Correct. As persons we always make some judgement about our own value or worth. This value judgement of a person about herself/himself is called self-esteem; some people have high self-esteem and others low.

Option (3) ability to regulate one’s own behaviour — Incorrect. This is self-regulation: our ability to organise and monitor our own behaviour, for example resisting situational pressures.

Option (4) belief in one’s own ability — Incorrect. This is self-efficacy: a person who believes that she/he has the ability or behaviours a situation requires shows high self-efficacy.