What is a potential consequence of excessive conditions of worth on a child's behavior?

Excessive conditions of worth can lead a child to prioritize seeking external approval over their own happiness. When children are conditioned to believe their worth is based on meeting certain expectations from parents, teachers, or society, they often internalize the idea that they are only valued when they behave in specific ways or achieve designated standards. This need for validation can overshadow their own desires, preferences, and emotional needs, causing them to focus on pleasing others rather than pursuing their own contentment.

In contrast, developing independence and self-reliance, cultivating healthy peer interactions, and enhancing decision-making skills are generally associated with a supportive environment that encourages self-exploration and autonomy, rather than conditional approval. Thus, the pressure of meeting excessive conditions of worth typically detracts from a child's ability to make decisions based on personal happiness or to develop their own identity free from the weight of others' expectations.