Evaluative contrast in social comparison: the role of distinct and shared features of the self and comparison others

Abstract

Self-other comparisons frequently evoke contrastive reactions, especially when the comparison dimension is relevant and when people strive to maintain or preserve a positive self-evaluation. In three studies, normal-weight women were asked to gauge satisfaction with their body weight. In Study 1, self-evaluation was affected by accessible distinctive information either referring to the self or to comparison others. Studies 2 and 3 tested whether the evaluative contrast observed in Study 1 is reduced when shared features receive greater weight. Consistent with the proposition that perceived similarity between self and comparison others renders assimilative reactions more likely, evaluative contrast was markedly reduced when similarities were stressed prior to the comparison process, either by suggesting that one shares certain characteristics with others unrelated to the comparison dimension or by increasing the identification with the comparison other through an intergroup contrast.

More than meets the eye: The role of subordinates' self-perceptions in leader categorization processes

“…Lord et al, 2001). Based upon previous socio-cognitive reasoning (Broemer & Diehl, 2004;Hogg, 2001;Markus et al, 1985;Markus & Wurf, 1987;van Knippenberg & Hogg, 2003), we contend that this effect is driven by the centrality of the leader prototype in subordinates' self-concept. Put abstractly, the more representative individuals feel of a certain category, the more important the underlying criteria of that category become to them as a standard for structuring and responding to the social world.…”

“…While such domain activation is partly dependent on situational cues, Markus and Wurf (1987) argue that chronic domain activation occurs when the domain is central to one's selfdefinition, i.e., when it is part of one's working self-concept (cf. Broemer & Diehl, 2004).…”

Second‐Generation Leader Categorization Research: How Subordinates' Self‐ and Typical Leader Perceptions Moderate Leader Categorization Effects

“…In this respect, Markus and Wurf (1987) argued that a more or less chronic domain activation takes place when the contents of that domain are strongly tied to people's self‐definitions; that is, when they are part of people's working self‐concept (cf. Broemer & Diehl, 2004). It is in these domains that people have an easily retrievable, extensive, and well organized information background to which they can match the incoming perceptual information.…”