Comparisons in Everyday Life: Effects on Domain-Specific Academic Self-Concepts (Poster 40)

• In Event: AERA Poster Session Fifteen
  In Poster Session: Cognitive and Motivational Processes: Poster Session Five

Abstract

Students compare their achievements in one domain with those of their peers (social comparison), own achievements over time (temporal comparisons), own achievements in other domains (dimensional comparison), or with a set criteria (criterial comparison).
The present study is the first to examine all four comparison types in everyday life and the first to examine the consequences of these comparisons for domain-specific self-concepts. Over one week, n = 131 university students recorded their spontaneous comparisons concerning the academic domain. We found mostly social and more temporal than dimensional comparisons and effects of comparison type and direction: Downward comparisons showed positive effects; upward social, temporal, and criterial comparisons showed negative effects on self-concepts. Social comparison effects were strongest.

Authors

• Alexandra Petrak, Kiel University
  Presenting Author

• Jens Moeller, University of Kiel
  Non-Presenting Author

• Friederike Helm, University of Kiel
  Non-Presenting Author

• Fabian Wolff, University of Koblenz
  Non-Presenting Author