A Double-Edged Sword: On the Net Effect of Dimensional Comparison

• In Event: 75.062 - Poster Session 18
  In Poster Session: 75.062-2 - Motivational and Cognitive Processes: Self-Regulation, Emotions, and Memory

Abstract

Dimensional comparison theory (Möller & Marsh, 2013) assumes that students compare their academic achievement intra-individually across domains to form domain-specific self-concepts. Upward dimensional comparisons typically lead to lower self-concepts in the worse-off domain, while downward comparisons lead to higher self-concepts in the better-off domain. Their net effect is believed to be positive. In an experimental study, N = 150 participants were asked to infer a student’s self-concept. In line with dimensional comparison theory, participants inferred higher self-concepts following downward comparisons and lower self-concepts following upward comparisons. Moreover, we found the relative effects of upward and downward dimensional comparisons to be of equal size indicating both processes to be equally strong and their net effect balanced between self-concept reduction and enhancement.

Authors

• Hanno Müller-Kalthoff, University of Kiel

• Friederike Helm, University of Kiel

• Jens Moeller, University of Kiel