Compare and contrast the self-evaluation maintenance model with social identity theory

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Answer:
Answers should include the following:
1) Both are based on Festinger's (1954) social comparison theory.
2) Both describe the consequences of social comparisons.
3) Individuals can make upward comparisons – when we compare ourselves to higher performing others – or downward comparisons – when we compare ourselves to lower performing others. We can identify ourselves as individuals or as members of a group.
4) The self-evaluation maintenance model is relevant when individuals categorize the self as an individual and is useful in understanding individual-individual comparisons. From this perspective, we expect individuals to distance themselves from others who out-perform them in some area of importance, but should affiliate with lower-performing others.
5) The social identity theory is relevant when individuals categorize the self at a group level and the other individual to whom individuals compare themselves is a member of the same group. If the comparison other performs poorly in some area of importance, group members are likely to distance themselves from that individual. If the comparison other performs well in an area of importance, group members are likely to approach that individual and attempt to increase group affiliation.
6) These two theories make opposite predictions regarding the results of self-other comparisons, but both are accurate descriptors of behavior – depending on whether individual-level or group-level self-identity is salient.