Dimensional comparison theory.

Abstract

Although social comparison (Festinger, 1954) and temporal comparison (Albert, 1977) theories are well established, dimensional comparison is a largely neglected yet influential process in self-evaluation. Dimensional comparison entails a single individual comparing his or her ability in a (target) domain with his or her ability in a standard domain (e.g., "How good am I in math compared with English?"). This article reviews empirical findings from introspective, path-analytic, and experimental studies on dimensional comparisons, categorized into 3 groups according to whether they address the "why," "with what," or "with what effect" question. As the corresponding research shows, dimensional comparisons are made in everyday life situations. They impact on domain-specific self-evaluations of abilities in both domains: Dimensional comparisons reduce self-concept in the worse off domain and increase self-concept in the better off domain. The motivational basis for dimensional comparisons, their integration with recent social cognitive approaches, and the interdependence of dimensional, temporal, and social comparisons are discussed.

The Generalized Internal/External Frame of Reference Model: An Extension to Dimensional Comparison Theory

“…People in the failure condition rated themselves as being more honest than did students who received positive feedback in the anagram task, indicating that processes of dimensional comparison were carried out between intelligence and honesty. Möller and Marsh (2013) suggested a transfer of the I/E model to basic personality characteristics. They viewed the "Big Two" personality dimensions agency (competence) and communion (warmth;…”

“…Like social comparison theory (Festinger, 1954) or the temporal comparison theory (Albert, 1977), the dimensional comparison theory (Möller & Marsh, 2013) details the cognitive process of evaluating a certain target by comparing it to a certain standard. This cognitive process comprises four stages: The selection of a certain target for evaluation, the selection of a certain standard, the comparison of the target with the standard, and finally the evaluation of the target (Biernat & Eidelman, 2007;Mussweiler, 2003).…”

“…This paper deals with a recently developed theory in the field of educational psychology, the dimensional comparison theory (DCT; Möller & Marsh, 2013). First we will present the central ideas of the DCT and the empirical support for its assumptions with regard to the antecedents of dimensional comparisons and the psychological processes carried out while dimensionally comparing aspects of different domains.…”

Siblings as socialization agents

“…Given a shared family background and environment siblings are clear targets for such comparison (Whiteman et al, 2011), with siblings likely to evaluate how their parents treat them vis-à-vis their brothers/sisters and resulting patterns of consumption. With upward comparison, individuals compare themselves to admired others, and through perceiving similarities they enhance their sense of self; with downward comparison an individual's sense of self is enhanced through perceptions of feeling better off (Moller and Marsh, 2013).…”

“…Social comparison theory (SCT) (Festinger, 1954) is a well-established social psychology theory often used in the study of siblings (Moller and Marsh, 2013). SCT is based on the notion that we are intrinsically motivated to self-evaluate based on comparison to others.…”