Drawing upon extensive theoretical knowledge and decades of empirical research by the author and others, this volume traces changes in the s tructure and content of self-representations from the preschool years through late adolescence. Harter provides a trenchant analysis of the cognitive and social processes responsible for the development of each person's unique sense of self. Throughout, normative developmental an d individual difference variables are clearly identified and clinical applications spotlighted. This authoritative work will be read with in terest by scholars, clinicians, and students interested in understandi ng the causes and consequences of low self-esteem, or in designing int erventions to promote more adaptive self-evaluations.