Self-evaluation effects of interpersonal versus intergroup social comparison

Area of Science:

• Social Psychology
• Social Cognition
• Intergroup Relations

Background:

• Social comparison theory posits individuals evaluate themselves by comparing to others.
• The distinction between interpersonal and intergroup comparison processes is crucial for understanding self-evaluation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate how interpersonal versus intergroup comparison processes influence self-assessment outcomes.
• To examine the moderating role of social category membership (minority/majority) and in-group salience.

Main Methods:

• Two experiments were conducted with college student participants assigned to social categories.
• Participants engaged in upward or downward social comparisons with in-group or out-group targets.
• Self-assessments of academic ability were measured under varying conditions of in-group salience.

Main Results:

• A three-way interaction was found between in-group salience, target group membership, and comparison direction.
• Majority group members showed contrast effects regardless of comparison target.
• Minority group members displayed assimilation effects with in-group targets and contrast effects with out-group targets.

Conclusions:

• The nature of social comparison (interpersonal vs. intergroup) significantly impacts self-evaluation.
• In-group assimilation effects for minority groups are contingent upon intergroup contrast dynamics.
• Findings highlight the context-dependent nature of social comparison and its implications for self-perception.