Abstract

Self-esteem covers a wide range of self-concepts. This study focused on body-esteem which is a positive or negative outlook one has on one's physical appearance. To attain responses specific to body esteem, compliments were limited to physical appearances only. To answer the research problem and questions, the researchers conducted a social experiment wherein the participant was approached with the compliment in a natural environment and then asked to participate in a short interview afterward. It was found that the JHS students reacted positively to the compliments, with them having open-posture and maintaining eye contact during the whole experiment. They had high self-esteem due to their positive reaction. They were positively affected by said compliments. When asked to further elaborate on their previous answer, it was also found that the compliment, being that it was given by a stranger, had more effect on the moods of the participants.