Do collectivists know themselves better than individualists? Cross-cultural studies of the holier than thou phenomenon.
Collectivists know themselves better than individualists do, in that collectivists provide more accurate self-predictions of future behavior in situations with moral or altruistic overtones. In 3 studies, respondents from individualist cultures overestimated the likelihood that they would act generously in situations involving redistributing a reward (Study 1), donating money (Study 2), or avoiding rude behavior (Study 3), whereas collectivists were, in general, more accurate in their self-predictions. Both groups were roughly accurate in predicting the behavior of their peers. Collectivists were more accurate in their self-predictions than were individualists, even when both groups were sampled from the same cultural group (Study 4). Discussion centers on culturally specific motivations that may bias the accuracy of self-insight and social insight.
Balcetis
Emily
E
Department of Psychology, Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701, USA. balcetis@ohio.edu
Dunning
David
D
Miller
Richard L
RL
D000293:Adolescent; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D003469:Culture; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D010551:Personality; D012649:Self Concept; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D055815:Young Adult