p articipate

profound

positive

adversely

enthusiastically

r espond

general

sensitive

detrimental

c ontrast It is obvious that such uncomfortable feelings must affect people ___1___. A person's self-concept is reflected in the way he or she behaves, and the way a person behaves affects other people's reactions. In ___2___, the way people think about themselves has a ___3___ effect on all areas of their lives. For instance, people who have a ___4____ sense of self-worth or high self-esteem usually act with confidence. Because they have self-assurance, they do not need constant praise and encouragement from others to feel good about themselves. Self-confident people ___5____ in life _____6____ and spontaneously. They are not affected by what others think they "should" do. People with high self-esteem are not hurt by criticism; they do not regard criticism as a personal attack. Instead, they view a criticism as a suggestion for improvement. In ___7___, shy people, having low self-esteem, are likely to be passive and easily influenced by others. They need reassurance that they are doing "the right thing". Shy people are very ____8__ to criticism; they feel it confirms their inferiority. They also find it difficult to be pleased by compliments because they believe they are unworthy of praise.