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Updated: Sep 22, 2025

The Social Dimension of Stress: Experimental Manipulations of Social Support and Social Identity in the Trier Social Stress Test
Published on: November 19, 2015
Home alone yet optimistic: social identity management amidst comparative pessimism
Corey L Guenther1, Yiyue Zhang2
1Creighton University.
People believe they have more social traits and a more active social life than others, despite acknowledging social deficits. Self-enhancing beliefs coexist with perceived social shortcomings.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Social Psychology
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Previous research suggested a generally pessimistic outlook on social lives.
- Understanding self-perception in social comparison is crucial for well-being.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate individuals' self-perceptions regarding their social lives and traits.
- To examine whether self-enhancing beliefs about social life coexist with acknowledged deficits.
Main Methods:
- Three studies involving 553 participants were conducted.
- Participants' beliefs about their social traits, activity levels, and future social life were assessed.
- Social comparison and perceived importance of social activities were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Participants perceived themselves as possessing more social traits than peers.
- Individuals believed their social activity exceeded standards for a satisfying life and would improve.
- Pessimism about social engagement was linked to lower perceived importance of those activities.
Conclusions:
- Individuals hold self-enhancing beliefs about their social lives, contrary to some previous suggestions.
- Acknowledged social deficits can coexist with positive self-perceptions of social life.
- Self-enhancement plays a role in how people view their social standing and future.
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