Psychological comparison processes and self-concept in relation to five distinct frame-of-reference effects : Pan-human cross-cultural generalizability over 68 countries
Journal article
Marsh, Herbert W., Parker, Philip D., Guo, Jiesi, Pekrun, Reinhard and Basarkod, Geetanjali. (2020). Psychological comparison processes and self-concept in relation to five distinct frame-of-reference effects : Pan-human cross-cultural generalizability over 68 countries. European Journal of Personality. 34(2), pp. 180-202. https://doi.org/10.1002/per.2232
Authors | Marsh, Herbert W., Parker, Philip D., Guo, Jiesi, Pekrun, Reinhard and Basarkod, Geetanjali |
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Abstract | The concept of self is central to personhood, but personality research has largely ignored the relevance of recent advances in self–concept theory: multidimensionality of self–concept (focusing instead on self–esteem, an implicit unidimensional approach), domain specificity (generalizability of trait manifestations over different domains), and multilevel perspectives in which social–cognitive processes and contextual effects drive self–perceptions at different levels (individual, group/institution, and country) aligned to Bronfenbrenner's ecological model. Here, we provide theoretical and empirical support for psychological comparison processes that influence self–perceptions and their relation to distal outcomes. Our meta–theoretical integration of social and dimensional comparison theories synthesizes five seemingly paradoxical frame–of–reference and contextual effects in self–concept formation that occur at different levels. The effects were tested with a sample of 485,490 fifteen–year–old students (68 countries/regions, 18,292 schools). Consistent with the dimensional comparison theory, the effects on math self–concept were positive for math achievement but negative for verbal achievement. Consistent with the social comparison theory, the effects on math self–concept were negative for school–average math achievement (big–fish–little–pond effect), country–average achievement (paradoxical cross–cultural effect), and being young relative to year in school but positive for school–average verbal achievement (big–fish–little–pond effect—compensatory effect). We demonstrate cross–cultural generalizability/universality of support for predictions and discuss implications for personality research. © 2020 European Association of Personality Psychology |
Keywords | academic self-concept; social comparison theory and frame-of-reference effects; cross-cultural self-concept paradox; big-fish-little-pond effect; dimensional comparison theory |
Year | 2020 |
Journal | European Journal of Personality |
Journal citation | 34 (2), pp. 180-202 |
Publisher | Sage Publications Ltd. |
ISSN | 0890-2070 |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1002/per.2232 |
Scopus EID | 2-s2.0-85078750445 |
Open access | Published as green open access |
Research or scholarly | Research |
Page range | 180-202 |
Funder | Australian Research Council (ARC) |
Author's accepted manuscript | License File Access Level Open |
Publisher's version | License All rights reserved File Access Level Controlled |
Output status | Published |
Publication dates | |
Online | 01 Mar 2020 |
Publication process dates | |
Accepted | 18 Dec 2019 |
Deposited | 20 Sep 2021 |
ARC Funded Research | This output has been funded, wholly or partially, under the Australian Research Council Act 2001 |
Grant ID | ARC/DP130102713 |
https://acuresearchbank.acu.edu.au/item/8ww61/psychological-comparison-processes-and-self-concept-in-relation-to-five-distinct-frame-of-reference-effects-pan-human-cross-cultural-generalizability-over-68-countries
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AM_Marsh_2020_Psychological_comparison_processes_and_self–concept.pdf | |
License: CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 | |
File access level: Open |
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