Is Entitlement a “Western” Individualistic Phenomenon? Examining the Relationships between Psychological Entitlement, Academic Entitlement, and Self-construals in an Ethnically Diverse Sample of Canadian Young Adults

Research on psychological entitlement (PE) and academic entitlement (AE) have proliferated over the recent years. PE refers to a sense of elevated deservingness that may be unrelated to effort or performance. AE refers to students’ expectations of rewards or services (e.g., good grades) regardless of their effort. Although research has established the relationships between PE and AE with a variety of negative out come variables (e.g., aggression, selfishness), there is little research on the associations between entitlement and cultural variables. To address this gap, this study examined PE and AE in an ethnically diverse sample of Canadian young adults (N=304). Specifically, the relationships between PE and AE with independent and interdependent self-construals were tested. Entitlement was hypothesized to be positively correlated with the value of being unique and special (i.e., independent qualities) while being negatively associated with a value of fitting in with others (i.e., interdependent qualities). PE and AE were also compared across broad ethnocultural groups. Results showed that although PE was positively correlated with independent self-construal, PE was higher in participants of collectivist ethnocultural descent (e.g., Asian Canadians, Arab Canadians) than those of individualist descent (i.e., Euro-American Canadians) even after controlling for demographic variables. Similarly, PE was higher in Asian Canadians than White European Canadians. Surprisingly, AE was not significantly correlated with either independent or interdependent construal. However, AE was found to be higher in participants of collectivist descent than those of individualist descent, and higher in Asian Canadians than White European Canadians. These results and those of recent studies imply that entitlement may not be a strictly “Western” individualistic phenomenon as previously suggested. In fact, specific elements of collectivist culture may also contribute to entitlement. Implications for further research and interventions are discussed.