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Essay 2.5 - Big-fish-little-pond effect : Universality of psychological comparison processes
Marsh, Herbert W. Basarkod, Geetanjali
Marsh, Herbert W.
Basarkod, Geetanjali
Abstract
Self-concepts are based on objective accomplishments evaluated in relation to frames of reference. In the big-fish-little-pond effect (BFLPE), equally able students have lower academic self-concepts in high-average ability schools, but higher academic self-concepts in low-average ability schools. The authors of this essay note the existence of additional psychological comparison processes that influence self-concept formation, including temporal (“I am getting better”) and dimensional (“I am better at math than verbal subjects”) comparisons. By employing increasingly sophisticated theoretical and statistical models, motivation scientists have integrated multiple frame-of-reference effects into a unified framework and shown support for the universality of the BFLPE.
Keywords
academic self concept, achievement, big-fish-little-pond effect, generalizability, PISA, policy, self-beliefs, self-evaluation, social comparison, universalistic
Date
2023
Type
Book chapter
Journal
Book
Motivation Science : Controversies and Insights
Volume
Issue
Page Range
100-107
Article Number
ACU Department
Institute for Positive Psychology and Education
Faculty of Education and Arts
Faculty of Education and Arts
Relation URI
Event URL
Open Access Status
License
All rights reserved
File Access
Controlled
Notes
© Oxford University Press 2023. All rights reserved.