Excessive Self-Enhancement and Interpersonal Functioning in Roommate Relationships: Her Virtue is His Vice?

The current paper assesses gender differences in the effects of excessive self-enhancement on interpersonal perceptions. Based on gender-related differences in interpersonal functioning, we predicted that overly favorable self-enhancement would differentially affect interpersonal relationships among women versus men. This possibility was assessed in a study of 105 undergraduates and their same-sex roommates. Target participants completed a measure of excessive self-enhancement; roommates provided measures of evaluation of the target participant at baseline and again three weeks later. Results were consistent with predictions: An excessive self-enhancing style among men predicted less favorable evaluations from roommates. In contrast, an excessive self-enhancing style among women predicted more favorable evaluations from roommates. Results are discussed with respect to gender and self-enhancement within the context of ongoing relationships.