Kiasu (fear of losing out, FoLO) is considered the single most defining adjective that captures Singapore identity, and it is well‐observed in other Asian cultures as well. Despite the widespread endorsement of kiasu in Singapore, there is limited empirical research on the theoretical conception of kiasu as a psychological construct. To empirically investigate kiasu, we validated the construct and measurement of the FoLO mindset in Study 1. In Study 2, we hypothesized and found a negative association between FoLO and Singaporeans’ self‐esteem, which was mediated by a higher tendency of conformity. In addition, we hypothesized and found that individuals’ need for cognitive closure (NFCC) moderated the negative link between conformity and self‐esteem such that high NFCC accelerated the negative impact of conformity on self‐esteem. Whereas FoLO is often described as a form of competitiveness, the moderated‐mediation model of FoLO and self‐esteem can be replicated with competitiveness but in an opposite direction. This demonstrated that FoLO and competitiveness are two distinct psychological constructs. Implications of FoLO in Singapore as well as in other Asian contexts are discussed.
The current research investigated the influence of the Fear of Losing Out (FoLO) mindset on learning strategy via performance goal orientation and its interaction with social comparison amongst Singaporean college students. In Study 1, a positive relationship between FoLO and performance goal orientations (i.e., avoidance and approach) was found. Study 2 replicated this finding and further revealed a downstream effect of FoLO on surface learning via performance goal orientations. In addition, social comparison moderated the link between performance goal orientation and surface learning in the mediation model. Specifically, in downward social comparison conditions, FoLO facilitated high performance-avoidance goal orientation, which in turn led to higher surface learning. Comparatively, in upward social comparison conditions, FoLO incited high performance-approach goal orientation, which in turn led to lower surface learning. Taken together, the findings yield significant theoretical and practical implications of FoLO on college students’ goal orientations and learning outcomes.
While cultural difference on self-construal are well-documented, how acculturation to a new cultural environment could change an individual’s self-construal remains under-explored. In this research, how tertiary education disciplines could be associated with the endorsement of self-construals which, in turn, affect students’ conflict management tendencies were explored. Study 1 revealed that across the United States and Singapore, college students from business and social science disciplines exhibited the trend of endorsing more independent and interdependent self-construal respectively, regardless of the different dominant self-construals in the two countries. Study 2 explored how tertiary education disciplines is associated with individuals’ conflict management tendencies via the endorsement of different self-construals among Singaporeans. Findings showed that individuals from business discipline possess a more independent self-construal and in turn endorsed more of a competing conflict management style than those from social sciences. Different disciplinary cultures could link to conflict management tendencies via the endorsement of self-construals, yielding significant theoretical and practical implications.
Objectives: Drawing on social identity theory, present research examined the effects of overlapping racial membership on monoracials' categorization of biracials as in-/out-group members, as well as its impact on monoracials' social perceptions of biracials in Singapore. Within Singapore, it is hypothesized that biracials who share racial membership with monoracials would be rated more as monoracials' racial in-group and be evaluated more positively. Furthermore, monoracials' positive perceptions of biracials with (vs. without) shared racial membership would be less influenced by biracials' confrontation of racial prejudice. Method: Studies 1 (N = 242) and 2 (N = 153) sampled Chinese Singaporeans to assess their perceptions of several fictitious biracial targets. Utilizing an experimental confrontation paradigm, Studies 3 (N = 170) and 4 (N = 225) investigated the effects of confronting racial prejudice on Chinese Singaporeans' perceptions of biracials. Results: Studies 1 and 2 revealed that Chinese Singaporeans perceive Chinese-other (vs. non-Chinese) biracials as more racially similar to themselves and were more likely to report positive social perceptions of Chinese-other biracials. Compared to non-Chinese biracials, Studies 3 and 4 found that Chinese-other biracials' response to racial prejudice did not negatively affect Chinese Singaporeans' perception of them. Findings revealed that Chinese-other biracials were well-liked regardless of their response to racial prejudice, demonstrating Chinese Singaporeans' recognition of shared racial membership. Interestingly, Chinese Singaporeans increased their liking for Indian-Malay biracials when they confronted antimajority racial prejudice. Conclusion: Perceiving shared racial membership positively influenced Chinese Singaporeans' perceptions and feelings toward biracials. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed. Public Significance StatementResearch on biracial perceptions in the United States suggests that White Americans tend to sort Whiteother biracials as non-White out-groups. Present research investigates Chinese Singaporean's perception of biracials in Singapore and demonstrates how shared racial membership may positively influence monoracials' perception of biracials. Different from existing literature on monoracials' assessment of biracials, monoracial Chinese Singaporeans' positive perception and liking of Chinese-other biracials are significant and robust regardless of biracials' responses to antimajority/minority racial prejudice.
“Kiasu,” a Hokkien term, which directly translates as the “fear of losing out” is synonymous with the Singapore identity. Yet, there has been little empirical research investigating this indigenous psychological construct in Singapore. This paper first delves into Singapore’s Kiasu culture and existing research of Kiasu, which diverges on the operationalization and measurement of Kiasu as a psychological construct. While early research conceptualized Kiasu as a behavioral tendency, more recent investigations have begun to construe Kiasu as a mindset. Next, we review Kiasu-related outcomes in four domains: academic performance, learning strategies, well-being, and creativity. Finally, we propose a new theoretical framework integrating current research to guide future research directions. Specifically, the proposed integrated model is composed of Kiasu antecedents, individual Kiasu mindset, Kiasu behaviors, and Kiasu outcomes with moderators of normative Kiasu mindset and incentive system in the context. We believe that this proposed integrated model will help us better understand the prevalent Kiasu mindset and behavior in Singapore.
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