Basic Research in A Natural Setting: Auditing or Social Comparison behavior As a Function of Class Rank

Abstract

Previous findings on social comparison behavior established in a laboratory setting were extended to a natural setting. The research strategy to accomplish this represents an intermediate point on the dimension from basic laboratory research to basic research in the natural setting. The research depended on the natural environment for the independent variable (grades in a college class) but had the advantage of a controlled experimental chamber, arbitrary responses, and an automated apparatus for the dependent measure. Cumulative points earned on assignments by college students were entered in an apparatus that students used one-at-a-time to check their scores in a room adjoining the classroom. Cumulative points were changed weekly over a 7-week course. Automatically recorded button-press responses by the students (audit responses) allowed access to self-, other person, and standard scores (i.e., scores indicating A, B, and C grade levels). Self-scores were audited most consistently and standard scores were checked more than any other person’s score. Persons in middle positions with respect to point totals emitted more self-, coactor, and standard audits than persons in the high or low ranks. The middle position provided the most information about availability of the major reinforcer, being ahead, because in the middle position a student’s cumulative score had a greater chance of fluctuating over all three positions.