Ability evaluation through social comparison

Two experiments were conducted to clarify and extend social comparison theory for abilities. In the first experiment, the hypothesis was supported that people want information about their ability level more when they anticipate making a decision about an action based on the ability than when the decision has already been made. The evaluative need is thus primarily a predecision phenomenon. The second experiment showed that the preference for comparison with similar others predicted by social comparison theory is strongest when those others have had experience utilizing the ability in situations relevant to subjects' decisions.