The Self-Enhancement Motive in Collectivistic Cultures

Abstract

Self-enhancement biases are generally weaker or absent in collectivistic cultures than they are in independent ones. The source of this effect has been the topic of debate. Some claim the self-enhancement motive is absent in collectivistic cultures, whereas others claim that collectivistic cultures discourage the motive's expression. The majority of the articles in this special issue provides greater support for the latter explanation than for the former. Self-enhancement biases were found in collectivistic cultures—including Japan, once restrictions there that normally discourage the motive's expression were loosened or eliminated. These results point to the self-enhancement motive as a universal force of human behavior.