Effects of performance expectancy and outcome certainty on interest in social comparison

Abstract Preferences for social comparison information were studied by observing how much Ss explored a distribution of others' test scores and how they made inferences from this distribution. It was hypothesized that Ss would be more interested in exploring this distribution in a Partial Information Condition (when they were given their own performance score but no evaluation of this score) than in a No Information or a Full Information Condition. It was also hypothesized that having a need for self-enhancement or dissonance reduction aroused by receiving a low score or an unexpected score would stimulate exploration of this distribution. Ninety-three students sampled the distribution of exam scores obtained by members of their class and tried to estimate the class average. Subjects in fact displayed equal interest in the distribution in the three information conditions. In the Full Information Condition, however, Ss who received unexpectedly low scores searched much longer. Subjects receiving low outcomes generally lowered their estimates of the class average. Discussion emphasizes that both dissonance reduction and a general curiosity as well as self-enhancement and self-evaluation drives may serve as motives for social comparison.