Abstract
In 5 studies (total N = 1357) conducted online using Amazon's MTurk the relationship between socioeconomic status (SES) and the better-than-average effect (BTAE) was tested. Across the studies subjective measures of SES were positively correlated with magnitude of BTAE. Effects of objective measures (income and education) were weaker and less consistent. Measures of childhood SES (both objective and subjective) were positively correlated with BTAE magnitude, though less strongly and less consistently than measures of current subjective SES. Meta-analysis revealed all measures of chronic SES (with the exception of education) were significantly correlated with BTAE. However, manipulations of SES in terms of subjective status (Study 2), power (Study 3), and dominance (Study 4) did not have strong effects on BTAE magnitude (d's ranging from −0.04 to −0.14). Taken together the results suggest that chronic, but not temporary, status may be linked with a stronger tendency to overestimate one's abilities and positive traits.
Highlights
How good of a driver are you? How friendly are you? How intelligent? If you’re like most people, you’re unlikely to say that you are “average” in any of these domains
Consistent with previous research, on the whole participants rated themselves as better than average. Both subjective measures of current socioeconomic status (SES) were correlated with stronger better-than-average effect (BTAE) (SSS: r = 0.16, p < 0.05; Class (5-item measure): r = 0.22, p < 0.01), as were childhood subjective class (Childhood Class (5-item measure): r = 0.26, p < 0.001) and childhood family income (r = 0.16, p < 0.05)
No other measures of SES were correlated with BTAE
Summary
How good of a driver are you? How friendly are you? How intelligent? If you’re like most people, you’re unlikely to say that you are “average” in any of these domains. Most people rate themselves as above average in terms of a wide range of skills, abilities, and positive traits ranging from cognitive abilities, to driving, to popularity to name just a few (Svenson, 1981; Alicke, 1985; Kruger and Dunning, 1999; Zuckerman and Jost, 2001; Roese and Olson, 2007) This phenomenon is known as the better-than-average effect (BTAE; Brown, 1986; Kruger and Dunning, 1999). Consistent with previous findings regarding SES, it was predicted that high SES would be associated with a stronger tendency to rate the self as better than average
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