What is it about?
People often say you should stay true to yourself when choosing a career, but not everyone does. Our research shows that this depends on culture. Across 10 studies, North Americans were more likely than South Koreans to choose jobs that fit their true self, even at a cost. This difference is explained by beliefs about the true self: North Americans are more likely to expect that following their true self will lead to positive outcomes, such as becoming more competent at their job, whereas South Koreans are less likely to hold this expectation.
Featured Image
Photo by Bekky Bekks on Unsplash
Why is it important?
Advice like “be yourself” or “follow your heart” is everywhere, but this research shows that people do not all act on it in the same way. By identifying cultural differences in how people make career decisions, this study highlights that what seems like a universal ideal is actually shaped by culture. We show that these differences are driven by beliefs about the true self, and, importantly, these beliefs can be changed. This means it may be possible to design interventions that help people reconsider how they approach career trade-offs, especially for those who feel stuck choosing between authenticity and practical concerns.
Perspectives
Developing this project was especially meaningful as it brought together collaborators I have worked with for many years. It was a privilege to refine these ideas and deepen our insights alongside such thoughtful colleagues. I hope this work helps other people navigate their own complex career trade-offs with greater clarity and confidence.
Dr Mina Jyung
Seoul National University
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: To be authentic or not to be: How and why North Americans and South Koreans differ in making true-self-congruent choices., Journal of Experimental Psychology General, April 2026, American Psychological Association (APA),
DOI: 10.1037/xge0001907.
You can read the full text:
Contributors
The following have contributed to this page
