Egoistic and Moralistic Biases in Self‐Perception: The Interplay of Self‐Deceptive Styles With Basic Traits and Motives

Paulhus, Delroy L.; John, Oliver P.

doi:10.1111/1467-6494.00041

Cited by 853Personality Traits and PsychologyPsychological Testing and AssessmentSocial and Intergroup Psychology

Egoistic and Moralistic Biases in Self‐Perception: The Interplay of Self‐Deceptive Styles With Basic Traits and Motives

Paulhus, Delroy L., John, Oliver P.·1998·Journal of Personality

DOI 10.1111/1467-6494.00041

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Abstract

The literature on personality traits and defense mechanisms suggests individual differences in two self‐favoring tendencies, which we label “egoistic bias” and “moralistic bias.” The two biases are self‐deceptive in nature and can be traced to two fundamental values, agency and communion, that impel two corresponding motives, nPower and nApproval. The two sequences of values, motives, and biases form two personality constellations, Alpha and Gamma. Associated with Alpha is an egoistic bias, a self‐deceptive tendency to exaggerate one's social and intellectual status. This tendency leads to unrealistically positive self‐perceptions on such traits as dominance, fearlessness, emotional stability, intellect, and creativity. Self‐perceptions of high Alpha scorers have a narcissistic, “superhero” quality. Associated with Gamma is a moralistic bias, a self‐deceptive tendency to deny socially deviant impulses and to claim sanctimonious “saint‐like” attributes. This tendency is played out in overly positive self‐perceptions on such traits as agreeableness, dutifulness, and restraint. The Alpha‐Gamma conception provides an integrative framework for a number of central issues in personality psychology.

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There is strong consensus that T. Leary's two interpersonal motives are the pillars of interpersonal belonging.
“There is strong consensus that T. Leary's (1957) two interpersonal motives are the pillars of interpersonal belonging (Hogan 1983;Paulhus & John, 1998;Sedikides & Skowronski, 1997).”
From Cultural norm fulfillment, interpersonal belonging, or getting ahead? A large-scale cross-cultural test of three perspectives on the function of self-esteem. (2015) · cites this paper as Paulhus & John, 1998
M. R. Leary's view is consistent with the proposal that anxiety/N is the sociometer for getting along rather than getting ahead.
“This view is consistent with our proposal that anxiety/N is the sociometer for getting along rather than getting ahead, because a socially desirable impression hinges much more on qualities that foster getting along than on qualities that foster getting ahead (Abele & Wojciszke, 2014;Paulhus & John, 1998).”
From Cultural norm fulfillment, interpersonal belonging, or getting ahead? A large-scale cross-cultural test of three perspectives on the function of self-esteem. (2015) · cites this paper as Paulhus & John, 1998
N and self-esteem belong to the same category of evaluative traits and are less content laden than the other four Big Five traits.
“Specifically, both traits belong to the same category of evaluative traits (Furr & Funder, 1999;Judge, Erez, Bono, & Thoresen, 2002; M.R. Leary & Hoyle, 2009;Leising et al., 2013) and are less content laden than the other four Big Five traits (Paulhus & John, 1998).”
From Cultural norm fulfillment, interpersonal belonging, or getting ahead? A large-scale cross-cultural test of three perspectives on the function of self-esteem. (2015) · cites this paper as Paulhus & John, 1998

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Authors: Paulhus, D. L., & John, O. P.
Affiliations: University of British Columbia (CA)
University of California, Berkeley (US)
ORCID: Paulhus, Delroy L.
John, Oliver P.
Venue: Journal of Personality
Publisher: Wiley
Published: 1998-12
Volume: 66
Issue: 6
Pages: 1025-1060
ISSN: 0022-3506 (ISSN-L)
1467-6494
DOI: 10.1111/1467-6494.00041
OpenAlex: W2152318698
Cited by: 853
References: 10
Citations by year: 2026: 21 · 2025: 20 · 2024: 21 · 2023: 25 · 2022: 19 · 2021: 33 · 2020: 76 · 2019: 38 · 2018: 54 · 2017: 40 · 2016: 28 · 2015: 41 · 2014: 44 · 2013: 47 · 2012: 51
FWCI: 12.29
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Licence: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/termsAndConditions#vor (vor, 1130 d)
Locations: Journal of Personality (publishedVersion)
Topics: Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Personality Traits and Psychology
Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Psychological Testing and Assessment
Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Social and Intergroup Psychology
Keywords: self-deception, self-perception, agency and communion, narcissism, defense mechanisms, personality traits, individual differences

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Egoistic and Moralistic Biases in Self‐Perception: The Interplay of Self‐Deceptive Styles With Basic Traits and Motives

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