Abstract
Sixty-three second-through fourth-grade and 43 ninth-grade students participated in two separate studies that investigated the influence of gender, race, and friendship on the social comparison choices. Social comparison was measured using a computer-based auditing procedure that allowed each student to audit the classroom performance of all other students. Sociometric questions and rating forms were used to measure friendship choices. Results of the first study indicated that elementary students showed a strong preference for comparison with same-gender and same-race classmates, but not with classmates nominated as potential friends. Results of the second study indicated that ninth-grade students also showed a very strong preference for comparison with classmates of the same gender and race. About half of all comparisons by these students were of classmates nominated as “best friends.” The implications of these results for social comparison theory, as well as social policy and educational practice, are discussed.
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