Stratagem or propriety? The bicultural self-perspectives on unexpression of self-interest

• Main Authors: Wan-Yu Su, 蘇琬榆
• Other Authors: Maan-ling Chang
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2014
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/f4j3dh

碩士 === 高雄醫學大學 === 心理學系碩士班 === 102 === The study aimed to examine unexpression of self-interest, a socially appropriate means of obtaining individual benefits, from the bicultural self-perspectives of Chinese relationalism and western individualism. Multiple regression analysis of data from 393 adults aged 18 to 65 in Taiwan showed that the positive correlation between social appropriateness of unexpression of self-interest and behavioral intention toward it was moderated by interaction of Machiavellianism and social-oriented self. Further analysis indicated that the correlation was the strongest among the respondents with low Machiavellianism and high social-oriented self; the second, with high Machiavellianism and low social-oriented self; the third, with high Machiavellianism and high social-oriented self; the least, with low Machiavellianism and low social-oriented self. Additionally, only a main effect of personal liking of unexpression of self-interest on behavioral intention toward it was found, but no evidence for any moderating effect. The hypothesis that the unexpression of self-interest was used to obtain individual benefits in a socially appropriate way in Chinese society was supported. The study concluded with the discussions on altruism and egoism in Chinese society.