Date of Award

5-2012

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

College/School

College of Humanities and Social Sciences

Department/Program

Psychology

Thesis Sponsor/Dissertation Chair/Project Chair

Julian P. Keenan

Committee Member

Yoav Arieh

Committee Member

Kate Nooner

Abstract

When partaking in self-evaluation, individuals tend to engage self-enhancement, rating themselves higher than would be objectively called for. This work reviews the relevant literature on what self-enhancement bias is and when we engage in it. Further, it explores the controversies over the universality of self-enhancement with some contending that East Asians do not engage in self-enhancement and others proclaiming it to be a universal trait. Lastly, the adaptiveness both socially and psychologically of selfenhancement is examined.

File Format

PDF

Included in

Psychology Commons

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