Lisa and Melissa were comparing grades on their chemistry exam. Lisa was disappointed when she first saw that she had received a grade of 76 percent, but when she saw that Melissa (the class valedictorian in high school) had earned a grade of 78 percent, she felt much better about her grade. What is most likely to be a reason that Lisa changed her perspective?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Lisa's comparison to Melissa likely shifted her construal or interpretation of her own grade, making it seem relatively better than it did before. This is an example of social comparison theory, which suggests that people often evaluate themselves based on comparisons to others.

Lisa and Melissa Were Comparing Grades on Their Chemistry Exam