UC Irvine

Pride is a complex self-conscious emotion that is linked with social status. As pride is also recognized for evoking undesired social consequences under certain contexts, individuals may decide to inhibit their pride. Although our understanding of the significance of pride displays is increasing, we know little about possible sources of variation in how it is displayed. I examined variation in pride displays across social context, ethnic heritage, and gender in an experiment where participants were video-recorded while describing an experience of pride in one of three social context conditions: a competitor, a loved one, or a stranger. Videos were coded for verbal and nonverbal displays of pride. Although there were no differences in pride displays by social context condition, ethnic variation was observed. Asian Americans described their pride experiences both less emotionally and less vividly than European Americans. Latino/a/x Americans described their pride experiences less vividly than European Americans. Gender differences were also observed. Women described their pride experiences with more emotion and intensity than did men. Discussion focuses on integrating these findings into the broader understanding of pride and considering future directions for the study of this important positive emotion with distinct implications for interpersonal relationships.