The effects of in-group versus out-group social comparison on self-esteem in the context of a negative stereotype

Upward comparison with members of an in-group can be both enhancing and thr eatening to self-esteem (Brewer & Weber, 1994). According to Tesser's (1986 , 1988) self-evaluation maintenance model (SEM), the superior performance o f in-group members should be threatening when comparisons are made on abili ty domains that are relevant to self-esteem. We argue that such comparisons will instead be enhancing if the superior other's performance challenges n egative ability stereotypes about the group. In a laboratory experimental s tudy, 60 African American female participants were given feedback on a bogu s IQ test under conditions designed to increase the salience of negative st ereotypes. Participants were then exposed to either upward or downward soci al comparison information about the performance of a White or African Ameri can female confederate. A contrast effect was observed when the confederate was White such that participants reported higher state self-esteem in the downward social comparison condition than in the upward social comparison c ondition. When the confederate was African American, an assimilation effect was observed such that participants reported higher state self-esteem in t he upward social comparison condition than in the downward social compariso n condition. These results do not appear consistent with SEM and indicate t hat people are at times encouraged when close others outperform them on imp ortant tasks, (C) 2000 Academic Press.