A FALSE MODESTY OTHER-ENHANCING BIAS AMONG JAPANESE

Recently, some researchers reported other-enhancement instead of self- enhancement among Japanese. The present two studies examined the relat ion between self-appraisals and appraisals of others by distinguishing two types of others. Participants rated a series of items according t o how they thought relative position of self, reference others, and mo st other people. The results from both studies revealed that people di d show self-enhancement when self was compared with most other people, and did not show it in comparison with reference others. Relative pos ition of self and reference others was depend on self-esteem level and rating context. These findings were discussed from cultural differenc e of conception of the self.