Abstract: Characterized as a latent and broad personality construct, Core self-evaluations (CSE) is the baseline appraisal on self-worth, competence and capabilities one makes about him- or herself. Over the past decade, the key research fields of CSE have shifted from confirmation and measurement of construct, discussing its functions on various occupational outcomes to explore how CSE affects mental health and academic area. In addition, the predicting and moderating effect of CSE can be explained in the frameworks of motive, schema, ability, coping and capitalizing, and self-verifying. At present, it should be paid attention to some issues of CSE as follows: where does CSE originate, whether extremely high CSE is good or bad, what factors should be included or excluded on CSE construct, whether stability is another nature of CSE and how “frame of reference” influence the predictive effect of CSE. Future study should keep broadening study fields of CSE, solve questions about natures of CSE and indigenize the concept and measurement of CSE.

Key words: core self-evaluations, study fields, psychological mechanism