Self-Enhancement, Generality of Self-Evaluation, and Affectivity in Israel and Singapore

Previous findings from Israel show that self-evaluations are more positive than objective criteria and that they become more positive at more general levels of self-evaluation (Kurman & Eshel, 1996). This article examines whether this manifestation of self-enhancement exists in a more collectivistic culture. Academic self-evaluations obtained from eighth graders in Singapore and Israel revealed self-enhancement in both cultures. For Israelis, there was a trend of increasing self-enhancement at more general levels of self-evaluation. In contrast, the magnitude of Singaporeans' self-enhancement was not influenced by the generality of self-evaluation. Self-enhancement was positively related to well-being and self-esteem in both cultures. Taken together, the findings suggest that the weaker self-enhancement in Singapore does not necessarily imply the absence of the self-enhancement motive.