Dimensional comparisons: An experimental approach to the internal/externalframe of reference model

According to the internal/external frame of reference model (H. W. Marsh, 1 986, 1990a), students not only use social comparisons to evaluate their per formance (external frame of reference) but they also use dimensional compar isons (internal frame of reference), comparing their own achievement in one subject with that in other subjects. Three experimental studies were condu cted to investigate the psychological processes underlying the effects of a chievement in one domain on self-perceived competence in another. In Study 1 (N = 36), high achievement in one domain led to lower self-perceived comp etence in the other domain. Study 2 (N = 45) showed inverse effects on self -perceived competence when achievement feedback included explicit dimension al comparison information about students' achievement in both tasks. In Stu dy 3 (N = 90), dimensional comparison effects were shown even when addition al social comparison information was presented.