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It takes two to mimic: behavioral consequences of self-construals
Rick B van Baaren1, William W Maddux, Tanya L Chartrand
1Department of Social Psychology, University of Nijmegen, the Netherlands. r.vanbaaren@psych.kun.nl
Journal of Personality and Social Psychology
|May 22, 2003
Summary
Self-construal orientation influences mimicry. Interdependent self-construal leads to more mimicry than independent self-construal, a finding supported across experimental and cultural studies.
Area of Science:
- Social Psychology
- Cross-Cultural Psychology
- Nonverbal Behavior
Background:
- Self-construal orientation, the way individuals perceive themselves in relation to others, has been linked to social behaviors.
- Independent self-construal emphasizes autonomy, while interdependent self-construal highlights interconnectedness.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the moderating role of self-construal orientation on nonconscious mimicry.
- To test the hypothesis that interdependent self-construal is associated with greater mimicry than independent self-construal.
Main Methods:
- Experimental priming of self-construal orientations (independent vs. interdependent).
- Examination of self-construal as a cultural difference (Americans vs. Japanese).
- Measurement of nonconscious mimicry behaviors.
Main Results:
- Experimentally primed independent self-construals resulted in less nonconscious mimicry compared to interdependent self-construals.
- Cultural differences in self-construal (independent Americans vs. interdependent Japanese) replicated the experimental findings.
- Individuals with an interdependent self-construal demonstrated higher levels of mimicry.
Conclusions:
- Self-construal orientation significantly moderates nonconscious mimicry.
- Interdependent self-construal facilitates assimilation of others, leading to increased mimicry.
- Findings highlight the interplay between self-perception, culture, and social behavior.