Effects of Socially Prescribed Expectations on Emotions and Cognitions in Asian and European Americans

Abstract

This study examined the relation of positive and negative socially prescribed perfectionism to psychological well-being in 100 Asian American and 91 European American college students. Participants received one of four priming conditions (positive, negative, neutral expectancies and control) and completed several measures of perfectionism and psychological well-being at pretest and posttest. Findings showed that, controlling for pretest scores, priming participants with negative outcome expectancies led to higher levels of negative perfectionism and lower levels of positive perfectionism, and priming participants with positive outcome expectancies led to lower levels of negative perfectionism and higher levels of positive affect. Differences also emerged between Asian and European Americans in levels of perfectionism and the link between perfectionism and well-being. Asian Americans had lower levels of subjective well-being and higher levels of negative perfectionism than European Americans, and Asian Americans were also less susceptible to the effects of positive priming. Present findings raise the possibility that cultural differences may affect ways of thinking about the past, present and future.

The Consequences of Perfectionism Scale

“…Consequently, differently from previous studies (E. C. Chang, 2006; R. Chang & Chang, 2009), this study found positive socially prescribed perfectionism—which also showed positive correlations with both positive and negative affect—to be an ambivalent rather than a purely positive characteristic.…”

“…The only exception in the pattern of positive versus negative associations that the two COPS scales showed was found for positive socially prescribed performance perfectionism which, in the regression analyses, predicted higher level of both positive and negative consequences. Consequently, differently from previous studies (E. C. Chang, 2006;R. Chang & Chang, 2009), this study found positive socially prescribed perfectionism-which also showed positive correlations with both positive and negative affect-to be an ambivalent, rather than a purely positive characteristic.…”

Cultural Similarities in Perfectionism

“…C. Chang, 2013; DiBartolo & Rendón, 2012; Franche et al, 2012), whereas the Canadian group was expected to report significantly higher perfectionistic strivings (E. C. Chang, 2002; R. Chang & Chang, 2009).…”

“…It is important to note that while perfectionistic strivings and perfectionistic concerns may be basic tendencies applicable across Canadian and Chinese cultures, this possibility does not preclude potential latent mean differences (Byrne & Campbell, 1999). Specifically, research suggests Canadian and Chinese individuals differ significantly in cognitive and emotional styles (R. Chang & Chang, 2009).…”

Adlerian personality profile in relation to career adaptability

“…For example, students from Asian cultures have experienced higher levels of parental expectations and unconstructive feedback (Castro & Rice, 2003). Chang and Chang (2009) indicated that Asian people's higher negative perfectionism is possibly associated with greater expectations from others to accomplish and therefore more adverse experiences around social interaction. That is, it is common for individuals to feel that they are not living up to their standards and experience the perception of discrepancy.…”