SELF-EVALUATIONS AND SELECTIVE PREFERENCE FOR TEMPORAL VS SOCIAL COMPARISONS IN OLD-AGE

The article addresses the role of social and temporal comparison proce sses in old age, A sample of N = 352 subjects (age range: 65 to 94 yea rs) was asked to make self-evaluations on three dimensions under a soc ial and temporal comparison perspective. In addition, using a forced-c hoice paradigm, preferences for social vs. temporal comparison informa tion were assessed. Self-evaluations in comparison to others proved to be much more favorable (downward comparisons) than self-evaluations u nder a temporal-comparative focus. However, a distributional analysis indicated that, in general, unfavorable self-evaluations under a tempo ral focus were accompanied (or compensated for) by favorable self-eval uations in comparison to others. Moreover, an overwhelmingly clear pre ference for temporal comparison information was observed. Results are discussed with regard to the presumed dynamic interplay of social and temporal comparison processes in the regulation of subjective well-bei ng in old age.