Making sense of positive self‐evaluations in China: The role of sociocultural change

• DOI: 10.1002/ejsp.2214
• Publication Date: 2016-07-01T13:56:55Z
• Authors: Rui Zhang; Kimberly A. Noels; Yanjun Guan; Liping Weng
• Keywords: Priming (agriculture); Trait; Chinese culture

Abstract Recent research points to Chinese people's elevated tendency make positive self‐evaluations, despite the general claim that East Asians do not self‐enhance. We present three studies in support of a novel prediction sociocultural change China plays an important role augmenting self‐enhancement. operationalized self‐enhancement primarily terms better‐than‐average effect (BTAE) and accounted for trait desirability or importance. found that: (i) compared with Canadians, showed stronger BTAE; (ii) within Chinese, identification contemporary culture uniquely predicted (iii) priming (vs. traditional) led BTAE. Finally, we provided further evidence motivation, part, underlies rising conclude by discussing importance both socioeconomic cultural perspectives understanding how when other societies undergoing social change.