The Paradox of Japanese Self-Esteem

摘要: Self-Esteem, both high and low, has been linked with a wide variety of desirable undesirable conditions consequences, including happiness, mental health, even physiological functioning in general. Most studies have conducted North America, the few that elsewhere tend to yield anomalous results. Specifically, measurements Japanese samples invariably indicate low self-esteem. The present essay argues apparently self-esteem is result flaws conceptualization, instrumentation, interpretation, does not necessarily reflect actual self-regard Japan. Self-esteem, once referred as or self-estimation, was first discussed by William James 1890. By 1960’s, had entered popular vocabulary primarily way research inspired Stanley Coopersmith’s (1967) Morris Rosenberg’s (1965) pioneering adolescent selfconcepts. end 20th century, become such familiar concept it could be reliably measured merely asking people if they (Robins, Hendin, & Trzesniewski, 2001). Until very recently, little doubt expressed (SE)-specifically, SE (HSE) important have. Study after study shown HSE associated while (LSE) consequences. correlates several varieties self-enhancement, unrealistic optimism, self-serving attributional biases, all which happiness (Taylor Brown, 1988), healthy general (Taylor, Lerner, Sherman, Sage, McDowell, 2003b). Accordingly, most moderate levels (Dijksterhuis, 2004, citing Banaji Prentice, 1994; Baumeiter, 1998; Greenwald, 1980; Taylor 1988). implication, reasonably enough, are mentally healthy. norm, other words, “mentally healthy.” At least, this case America. However, Japan individuals typically score their LSE scores generally interrelated lack same biases Americans routinely display (Brown 2003a; Brown 2003b; Kobayashi 2002; Kobayashi, 2003; Kudo, Numazaki, Kurman, Sriram, 2002 Muramoto, Norasakkunkit, Kalik, Takata, 2003). This would seem majority psychologically unhealthy abnormal, judged American standards. Unfortunately, an implausible conclusion. A more likely explanation there something amiss either conceptualization interpretation construct related phenomena when applied non-North