The Effects of Different Types of Self–Activation on Social Comparison Orientation

Abstract

Statement of Retraction: The following article is being retracted from publication in Social Cognition: "The Effects of Different Types of Self–Activation on Social Comparison Orientation" by Saskia A. Schwinghammer and Diederik A. Stapel, 24(6), 703-722, doi: 10.1521/soco.2006.24.6.703 After the Noort Committee determined this article to be fraudulent, the Editor and Publishers of Social Cognition have retracted the article (for further details, please visit the following link: https://www.commissielevelt.nl/). Two studies show that different types of self–activation influence social comparison tendencies differently. A focus on positive self–cognitions (positive self–activation) was found to decrease the need for social comparison information. A focus on negative self–cognitions (negative self–activation) on the other hand, was found to increase this need. Moreover, positive self–activation decreased the need for comparison information relative to neutral self–activation, whereas negative self–activation on the other hand, increased this need. Results also clarify the role of affect: Although positive versus negative affect had an influence on comparison tendencies similar to positive versus negative self–activation (Study 1), and the different types of self–activation were accompanied by differences in affect (Study 2), the effects of self–activation on comparison tendencies were not due to affect. It is concluded that the need for social comparison information is determined not only by whether self–cognitions are activated, but also by the specific valence of these activated self–cognitions.