Running head: COMPARISONS AND PERCEIVED DEPRIVATION

Two studies investigated comparison choices among ethnic minorities and majorities. The perceived status of the self vis-à-vis these targets was also assessed. Antecedents and consequences of comparisons and relative deprivation were examined. Predictions were derived from Social Comparison, Stigma, Social Identity, and Relative Deprivation research. Two surveys were conducted: in London with mainly Asian participants (N = 235), and in Germany with Turkish and Aussiedler participants (N = 166) and German majority members (N = 351). Participants preferred intragroup and temporal comparisons (with other ingroup members, and with the self in the past) over various types of cross-group comparisons (with outgroup members). Perceived similarity and contact with a target positively predicted comparison interest, and perceived higher status of the target was a negative predictor. Some evidence was found that feelings of deprivation depend on comparison choices. Deprivation negatively predicted self-esteem and lifesatisfaction. Deprivation and group-identification were negatively correlated.