Final answer:
Self-esteem is connected to the ideal self, as individuals with a close match between their actual self and ideal self tend to have higher self-esteem.
Step-by-step explanation:
When discussing the connection between self-esteem and the ideal self, it's important to understand the concept of self-esteem as involving an individual's perceptions, thoughts, and feelings about themselves. Self-esteem is highly influenced by how closely one's actual self aligns with their ideal self, which is the person they aspire to be. The ideal self includes our goals, aspirations, and the standards we set for ourselves. When there's a close match between the actual self and the ideal self, individuals tend to experience higher self-esteem because they see themselves as achieving their personal standards and goals. Conversely, a large discrepancy between the actual and ideal self can lead to lower self-esteem, as individuals may perceive themselves as falling short of their ideals.