It takes two to mimic: behavioral consequences of self-construals.
The present studies demonstrated the moderation of self-construal orientation on mimicry. Recent research has indicated that an interdependent self-construal is associated with assimilation of the other to the self whereas an independent self-construal is associated with minimizing the influence of others on the self (H. R. Markus & S. Kitayama, 1991; D. Stapel & W. Koomen, 2001). Therefore, the authors hypothesized that an interdependent self-construal would be associated with more mimicry than an independent self-construal. When self-construal orientations were experimentally primed, as in Studies 1 and 2, independent self-construals produced less nonconscious mimicry than interdependent self-construals. When self-construals were examined as cultural differences with either a chronically dominant independent (Americans) or interdependent (Japanese) construal of the self, these results were replicated.
van Baaren
Rick B
RB
Department of Social Psychology, University of Nijmegen, the Netherlands. r.vanbaaren@psych.kun.nl
Maddux
William W
WW
Chartrand
Tanya L
TL
de Bouter
Cris
C
van Knippenberg
Ad
A
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007206:Individuality; D007564:Japan; D008297:Male; D012649:Self Concept; D012919:Social Behavior; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology; D013997:Time Factors; D014481:United States