Better Than Better-Than-Average (or Not): Elevated and Depressed Self-evaluations Following Unfavorable Social Comparisons
- ASU Author/Contributor (non-ASU co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
- Todd McElroy Ph.D. (Creator)
- Institution
- Appalachian State University (ASU )
- Web Site: https://library.appstate.edu/
Abstract: Two experiments were designed to investigate perceivers’ self-evaluations when they
received objectively positive above-average performance feedback but were told
about another coactor who performed either moderately or much better than the
participant. Results indicated that participants responded negatively to this
comparison information even though they received better-than-average performance
feedback. Participants were given the opportunity to evaluate themselves relative to
another coactor who was described as performing at an average level. When the
negative implications of the unfavorable social comparisons were relatively mild,
both low and high self-esteem participants raised their self-evaluations vis-a-vis the
inferior coactor who performed at an average level on the task. However, when
the upward comparisons were especially unfavorable (i.e., when there was a large
discrepancy between the performance level of the participant and the coactor—the
comparison target), only high self-esteem participants raised their self-evaluations.
Results provided evidence for active compensation and relatively passive spreading
activation, supporting a schema-maintenance through compensation model
(e.g., Seta & Seta, 1982, 1993; Seta, Seta, & McElroy, 2003).
Better Than Better-Than-Average (or Not): Elevated and Depressed Self-evaluations Following Unfavorable Social Comparisons
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Additional Information
- Publication
- Seta, J. J., Seta, C. E. & McElroy, T. (2006). Better Than Better-Than-Average (or Not): Elevated and Depressed Self-evaluations Following Unfavorable Social Comparisons. Self and Identity, 5: 51-72. Published by Taylor & Francis (ISSN: 1529-8868). DOI: 10.1080/15298860500380551
- Language: English
- Date: 2006