[5] Self-esteem is known to protect people from potential fear that arises from the prospect of death (terror management theory).
[6] Self-determination theory (SDT) states that man is born with an intrinsic motivation to explore, absorb and master his surroundings and that true high self-esteem is reported when the basic psychological nutrients, or needs, of life (relatedness, competency and autonomy) are in balance.
[7] The ethological perspective[5] suggests that self-esteem is an adaptation that has evolved for the purpose of maintaining dominance in relationships.
It is said that human beings have evolved certain mechanisms for monitoring dominance in order to facilitate reproductive behaviours such attaining a mate.
Because attention and favorable reactions from others were associated with being dominant, feelings of self-esteem have also become associated with social approval and deference.
It is suggested that people are constantly searching for ways to enhance their self-esteem in order to quell unconscious death anxiety.
[7] Terror management theory, based primarily on the writings of Ernest Becker[10][11] and Otto Rank,[12] posits that self-esteem is sought because it provides protection against the fear of death.
When applying sociometer theory, it suggests that the illusion of control is an adaptive response in order to self-regulate behaviour to cultural norms and thereby provide an individual with an increased level of self-esteem.