Distinctness of others, mutability of selves: Their impact on self-evaluations

The authors postulate that the outcome of social comparison processes is de termined by the role social comparison information serves during the self-e valuation process. Assimilation is more likely in situations that instigate the inclusion of social comparison information in self-representations. Co ntrast is the more probable outcome when information about another person t s used as a reference point for self-judgments. Whether comparison informat ion instigates interpretation or comparison effects depends on the distinct ness of this information as well as the perceived mutability of the self. T he authors found support for their perspective using different types of man ipulations of the distinctness construct, treating self-mutability as a con textual as well as an individual-difference variable, and measuring the eff ects of social comparisons on measures likely to reveal both assimilation a nd contrast effects (self-evaluative judgments and behavioral predictions), assimilation effects only (mood measures), and motivational self-repair ef fects (importance ratings of the focal comparison dimension).