Comparative Pessimism or Optimism: Depressed Mood, Risk-Taking, Social Utility and Desirability

Milhabet, Isabelle; Barbenchon, Emmanuelle Le; Cambon, Laurent; Molina, Guylaine

doi:10.1017/sjp.2015.9

Cited by 7 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 48 publications

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“…Finally, as the effect of competition on CO has so far been unexplored, new studies are needed to confirm and deepen these results. Hence, the present studies do not allow us to test for explanations; but characteristics of the comparison target (Chambers & Windschitl, 2004) or social utility value (Green, 2006; Milhabet et al, 2015), which have links with CO and competition, could explain why competition would bring about CO expression. For example, competition has high social utility value in Western societies (Green, 2006; Windschitl et al, 2003), and these are the societies in which CO is emerging strongly (Heine & Lehman, 1995).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 78%

“…In these same societies, CO has been observed in areas where skills are involved (Hoorens et al, 2017; Le Barbenchon et al, 2016) and in professional and entrepreneurial fields (Milhabet et al, 2015; Ucbasaran et al, 2010). CO is associated with career success (Milhabet et al, 2019) or social utility and competence (Milhabet et al, 2012).…”

Section: About Comentioning

confidence: 98%

“…Narcissists seek comparison with others in order to self‐enhance (see Campbell et al, 2000). Hoorens et al (2017) show that these individuals are not judged to be very warm; however, they are judged competent and socially useful (Le Barbenchon et al, 2016; Milhabet et al, 2015). CO is a way of being viewed positively and considered socially useful, especially in areas where competition is strong and important.…”

Section: About Comentioning

confidence: 99%

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The effect of competitive and cooperative contexts on comparative optimism

2020

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Several common characteristics are shared by competition and comparative optimism; and comparative optimism has often been observed in competitive environments like entrepreneurial fields or areas that require skills. Competitive context could be an explanatory factor for comparative optimism neglected to date. The aim of this article is to test the links between competition (vs. cooperation) and comparative optimism. In Study 1, participants in different academic majors with a more or less competitive nature (respectively, medical studies and human sciences studies) answered questions about their future and that of others. In Study 2, for the participants in the less competitive course of study (human sciences studies), we presented their studies as being either competitive or cooperative. The impact of this context was tested as a function of the closeness or distance between the participants and the comparison targets. The results of both studies showed that competition increased the expression of comparative optimism. In Study 2, this effect emerged more when the comparison target was distant than when it was close, with proximity hindering the competitive relationship between the self and others. The feeling of competition with others contributed to a better understanding of comparative optimism and initiated new explanations for its emergence.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 78%

Section: About Comentioning

confidence: 98%

Section: About Comentioning

confidence: 99%

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The effect of competitive and cooperative contexts on comparative optimism

2020

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“…As far as optimism is concerned, an adjusted “realistic optimism” can be instrumental for individuals to accomplish goals that require some kind of effort (for a discussion, see Schneider, ). Indeed, Le Barbenchon and Milhabet (; see also Milhabet, Le Barbenchon, Cambon, & Molina, ) found that the expression of optimism has social utility. Given that PBJW scores correlate positively with optimism, at least among non‐victims (Cubela‐Adoric & Kvartuc, ; see also Correia & Vala, ), and their expression has social utility, we reasoned that participants could infer that the targets who express high versus low PBJW are also more optimistic.…”

Section: Limitations Of Previous Research Goals and Hypothesesmentioning

confidence: 99%

The world may not be just for you but you'd better not say it: On the social value of expressing personal belief in a just world

Alves

Pereira

Sutton

et al. 2018

Euro J Social Psych

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The expression of personal belief in a just world (PBJW) has been discussed as a criterion of excellence in social judgments. In four experimental studies we hypothesized and found that targets who express high versus low PBJW are judged as more: (i) deserving of success and (ii) suited to socio‐organizational expectations. The four studies show that suitability to socio‐organizational expectations mediates the relation between PBJW expressed and success deservingness, even after controlling for judgments of likability, status, rationality, optimism, and targets as victims. Studies 2 and 3 show this pattern occurs regardless of target performance appraisal. Study 4 indicates that expressing low PBJW decreases the social value of individuals, but expressing high PBJW does not increase it. We discuss the impact of PBJW expression on people's lives, namely on upward social mobility of members of low‐status groups, and the influence of the negativity bias on judgments caused by PBJW expression.

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“…One of the most frequently mentioned limitations when studying subjective well-being is the influence of social desirability. Milhabet, Le Barbenchon, Cambon, and Molina (2015) define social desirability as the types of affects that individuals elicit from others, or the manners in which individuals satisfy other people's principal motivations. Under this definition, social desirability conveys the "likeableness" that individuals attribute to others in their relationships.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Social desirability in the measurement of subjective well-being

Maldonado

Schnettler

Denegrí

et al. 2020

Interd

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The present study aimed at determining the association between life satisfaction and subjective happiness while controlling for social desirability, and to explore whether overall satisfaction with life can be predicted by satisfaction with life dimensions while controlling for social desirability. The study had a quantitative, non-experimental cross-sectional design, with 279 participants from different universities of the Council of Rectors of Chile recruited through a non-probabilistic sampling method for convenience. The participants completed an online questionnaire that inquired about their global and dimensional satisfaction with life, subjective happiness, social desirability, and sociodemographic variables. The data was analysed using partial correlations and multiple regression analyses. Bivariate correlation results indicate weak and direct associations between social desirability and life satisfaction and subjective happiness, and a strong and direct association between the latter. According to the results of the partial correlation analysis, the association between life satisfaction and subjective happiness is maintained even when social convenience is controlled. The results of the multiple regression analyses indicate that although social desirability predicts life satisfaction by itself, when satisfaction with life dimensions is added to the model, social desirability loses its predictive power. In conclusion, although social desirability is associated with the two components, affective and cognitive, of subjective well-being, this association loses predictive power when other variables are considered in predictive models.

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Comparative Pessimism or Optimism: Depressed Mood, Risk-Taking, Social Utility and Desirability

Cited by 7 publications

References 48 publications

The effect of competitive and cooperative contexts on comparative optimism

The effect of competitive and cooperative contexts on comparative optimism

The world may not be just for you but you'd better not say it: On the social value of expressing personal belief in a just world

Social desirability in the measurement of subjective well-being

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