Japanese interpersonal competences, narcissism and moral affects

This study mainly examined two hypotheses: the first, based on Benedict’s argument that Japanese culture is a “culture of shame,” is that Japanese interpersonal competences are facilitated by shame but not guilt, the second, narcissism inhibits use of the Japanese interpersonal competencies. The respondents were 408 Japanese university students. NPI-S, TOSCA-3, and JICS were applied for assessing narcissism, moral affects (guilt and shame), and Japanese interpersonal competences. After confirming the JICS’s two-factor structure (Perceptive Ability and Self-Restraint), structural equation modeling was used in examining the hypotheses on the relationship between narcissism, moral affects, and Japanese interpersonal competencies. The results showed that Japanese interpersonal competences were facilitated by narcissism. Proneness to shame left individuals less inclined to adopt the competences, while guilt-proneness stimulated the use of the competences. We conclude by discussing the narcissistic attitudes that are common in Japanese culture.