Abstract
This study examined the tendency of self-development among Japanese university students, based on Kegan's constructive-developmental theory. The Japanese version of the subject-object interview ("SOI") was administered to 40 university students. Results indicated that only one participant was at the transition stage from the imperial self (stage 2) to the interpersonal self (stage 3), while 38 participants were at the transition stage from the interpersonal self (stage 3) to the institutional self (stage 4), and one other participant was at the transition stage from the institutional self (stage 4) to the interindividual self (stage 5). Furthermore, the higher the grade, the higher were the structural-developmental stage scores. In addition, it would appear that in Japan, few participants are at the transition stage from the imperial self (stage 2) to the interpersonal self (stage 3) relative to the case of New Zealand.
