Across the (Not So) Great Divide: Cultural Similarities in Self‐Evaluative Processes

Abstract Although it is widely assumed that East Asians and Westerners evaluate themselves differently, there is much support for cultural convergences. In this article, I review evidence showing that in both cultures (and to a largely comparable degree), people (a) experience high feelings of self‐regard; (b) view themselves and loved ones in highly positive terms; and (c) exhibit self‐serving biases that promote feelings of self‐worth. Moreover, in both cultures (and to a largely comparable degree), individual differences in self‐esteem predict (d) psychological well‐being and (e) emotional regulation in response to negative outcomes. These commonalities suggest that self‐love is a universal human motivation.