Heine (2001) Success and Failure

What was the main goal of Study 2?

To examine how Americans and Japanese differ in persistence after success vs. failure

What is persistence in this study?

How long participants continued working on a task after feedback

How did Americans respond to success vs. failure?

Persisted longer after success, less after failure

How did Japanese participants respond to success vs. failure

Persisted longer after failure than success

What motivation style is associated with Americans?

Self-enhancement (focus on success, feeling good)

What motivation style is associated with Japanese participants

Self-improvement (focus on correcting weaknesses)

What is the RAT?

Remote Associates Test, measuring pattern recognition.

What is the GFT?

Geometric Figure Tracing task, an alternative puzzle.

How did Americans respond to failure in terms of task choice?

More likely to switch tasks.

How did Japanese respond to failure in terms of task choice?

More likely to continue the same task.

What is an incremental theory?

The belief that abilities can improve with effort.

What was the purpose of this study?

To test how Americans vs. Japanese participants respond to success and failure, especially in terms of persistence.

What was the method?

• RAT test

• got either success or failure feedback

• left alone with more RAT problems or a different puzzle

• measured time spent (persistence)

What are the key findings of this study?

Americans:

• persisted longer after success

• more likely to switch tasks after failure

Japanese:

• persisted longer after failure

• more likely to keep going on same task after failure

Self-Perception Results of Study 2:

• Americans:

  • Rated test as more accurate when they succeeded

  • Felt better after success

  • Valued skills more when they did well

• Japanese:

  • Rated test as more accurate when they failed

  • More accepting of negative feedback

  • Sometimes valued skills more after failure

What is the big takeaway?

• culture shapes what motivates you

  • Americans → success motivates

  • Japanese → failure motivates

What was the purpose of Study 3?

Purpose:

To test whether beliefs about effort vs. fixed ability explain cultural differences.

What was the method of study 3?

All participants:

• Received failure feedback

Then randomly assigned to:

1. High-effort condition

   • Told effort improves performance

2. Low-effort condition

   • Told ability is fixed (effort doesn’t help)

3. Control

   • No extra info

How does incremental theory relate to persistence?

Higher incremental belief → more persistence after failure

How did Americans view the test after success vs. failure?

More accurate after success.

How did Japanese view the test after success vs. failure?

More accurate after failure.

What does this show about Americans?

They protect self-esteem (self-enhancement).

What does this show about Japanese participants?

They engage in self-criticism for improvement