Ability evaluation and self-evaluation as types of social comparisons.

An analysis of Festinger's theory of social comparison processes suggests that the comparison of abilities really involves two distinct processes. Ability evaluation involves determining how one stands relative to others in the performance of the ability. Self-evaluation involves determining how one ought to perform by comparing with others similar to oneself on attributes related to the ability. The results of an experiment indicate that these two components can be distinguished empirically as separate aspects of the social comparison process.