Social Comparison Seeking: Providing General Comparison Curtails Local Comparison

Past research shows that people use local social comparison information more than general social comparison information when both are given (Zell & Alicke, 2010). The present studies examined the extent to which people seek local comparisons when they have already received general comparison information. In Study 1, students received their exam grades and were either told or not told the average score. In Study 2, laboratory participants received feedback indicating favorable, unfavorable, or no information about general standing. Both studies showed that participants were more interested in local comparison with peers when they lacked information about general standing.