The Authentic Self Is the Self-Enhancing Self: A Self-Enhancement Framework of Authenticity.

This article examines the relationship between authenticity—defined as behaving in alignment with one’s true self—and self-enhancement, the tendency to hold positively biased self-views. Through five studies involving university students and adult participants, the authors propose and provide evidence for a bidirectional self-enhancement framework of authenticity, whereby self-enhancement increases feelings of authenticity and authenticity, in turn, promotes self-enhancement. Experimental manipulations showed that favorable feedback and enhanced self-reflection elevated state authenticity, which was linked to greater meaning in life and thriving, while inducing authenticity increased self-enhancement. The findings challenge traditional views that authenticity requires accurate self-knowledge, suggesting instead that authenticity is closely intertwined with positively distorted self-perceptions, with implications for well-being.