Identifying differences in the experience of (in)authenticity: a latent class analysis approach

Abstract

Generally, psychologists consider state authenticity – that is, the subjective sense of being one’s true self – to be a unitary and unidimensional construct, such that (a) the phenomenological experience of authenticity is thought to be similar no matter its trigger, and (b) inauthenticity is thought to be simply the opposing pole (on the same underlying construct) of authenticity. Using latent class analysis, we put this conceptualization to a test. In order to avoid over-reliance on a Western conceptualization of authenticity, we used a cross-cultural sample (N = 543), comprising participants from Western, South-Asian, East-Asian, and South-East Asian cultures. Participants provided either a narrative in which the described when they felt most like being themselves or one in which they described when they felt least like being themselves. The analysis identified six distinct classes of experiences: two authenticity classes (“everyday” and “extraordinary”), three inauthenticity classes (“self-conscious,” “deflated,” and “extraordinary”), and a class representing convergence between authenticity and inauthenticity. The classes were phenomenologically distinct, especially with respect to negative affect, private and public self-consciousness, and self-esteem. Furthermore, relatively more interdependent cultures were less likely to report experiences of extraordinary (in)authenticity than relatively more independent cultures. Understanding the many facets of (in)authenticity may enable researchers to connect different findings and explain why the attainment of authenticity can be difficult.

The Enigma of Being Yourself: A Critical Examination of the Concept of Authenticity

“…Even so, we are not arguing that research on authenticity be abandoned. As noted, the subjective feelings that people interpret as authenticity and inauthenticity seem to be psychologically important, and people sometimes strive to be authentic and experience negative emotions when they believe that they have acted inauthentically (Lenton, Bruder et al, 2013). But such reactions may stem from social pressures to be genuine, consistent, and honest in one's dealings with other people rather than from to the degree to which people behave congruently with their personal characteristics, attitudes, beliefs, values, motives, or true self.…”

“…Researchers sometimes conceptualize authenticity experientially, focusing on people's subjective feelings of self-congruence or authenticity (Heppner et al, 2008;Kraus, Chen, & Keltner, 2011;Lenton, Bruder, Slabu, & Sedikides, 2013;Schmader & Sedikides, 2017;Sheldon et al, 1997;. For example, Lenton, Bruder, et al (2013) asked participants to rate their feelings of authenticity, telling them that "According to psychologists, the sense of authenticity is defined as 'the sense or feeling that you are in alignment with your true, genuine self'" (p. 10). Other studies have asked participants to describe a past event during which they felt most like their true or real self Sheldon et al, 1997) or used items such as "I feel like it is easy to express my true attitudes and feelings during interactions with others" and "I feel like I'm artificial in my interactions with others" (reverse-coded; Kraus et al, 2011).…”

Sketching the Contours of State Authenticity

“…This pattern suggests that authenticity and inauthenticity may have independent precursors or determinants. Relatedly, earlier in this article, we referred to an investigation of state authenticity by Lenton et al (2014), who used latent class analysis, a tool for uncovering hidden data patterns, as it "aim(s) to uncover unobserved heterogeneity in a population and to find substantively meaningful groups [. .…”

Authenticity and inauthenticity in narrative identity

“…Furthermore, upon reflection, participants reported more nostalgia and positive emotions when thinking about the “most me” scene. Another study found that different groups report varying levels of affect, need satisfaction, and self-consciousness in their “most me” and “least me” scenes (Lenton et al., 2014).…”

“…The results presented in Lenton et al. (2013, 2014) went beyond self-report research by capturing experiences of authenticity as expressed in life-stories. Yet the narrative coding also included the limitation of coding themes that had been previously identified in the literature.…”