The Interpersonal Effects of Claiming to have Depression by People not Diagnosed with Depression in Social Predicaments

This study aims to examine the relative effects of making the statement, “ I think I may have depressive disorder” as an excuse (i.e., insisting on depression) by comparing it with typical statements of excuse (i.e., physical illness, work requirements, and negligence). Participants were 238 J apanese undergraduates who read a scenario describing a social predicament and assessed excuse values in terms of their cognitive and behavioral reactions elicited by the excuse‐maker. The results showed that insisting on depression was evaluated as a valid excuse, as were physical illness and work requirements, albeit there was no description of any obstacle to the excuse‐maker’s progress including depressive symptoms. When these three statements were used as excuses, the participants were more likely to consider the target favorably and were motivated to behave more generously towards him than when he made no excuse or said, “ I forgot” (i.e., negligence). We discuss the results while referring to recent social changes in J apan. The implications of these findings for the phenotype of people with modern type depression are discussed.