SELF-FAVORING BIASES, SELF-PRESENTATION, AND THE SELF-OTHER ASYMMETRYIN SOCIAL-COMPARISON

The relationship between self-favoring biases in social comparison, fa vorable self-presentation, and well-being and the self-other asymmetry effect was examined. Participants gave comparative chance estimations and trait ratings for positive and negative future events and traits. One-half of the participants compared themselves to the average other , while the remainder compared the average other to themselves. All pa rticipants completed measurements of two types of desirable responding (self-deception and impression management) and of subjective well-bei ng. Participants who compared themselves to another showed stronger un realistic optimism and illusory superiority effects for positive (but not for negative) future events and traits than participants comparing another to themselves, demonstrating a self-other asymmetry effect. U nrealistic optimism and illusory superiority concerning positive attri butes were related to self-deception, while unrealistic optimism and i llusory superiority concerning negative attributes were related to imp ression management. The relative independence of ''positive'' and ''ne gative'' self-favoring biases was further demonstrated by their differ ential relationship with self-esteem and subjective well-being.