Tesser Dima Gorelik

The self-evaluation model is a model of behavior which determines how the performance of

others influences processes of self-evaluation, either positively or negatively.

It does so in terms of reflection and comparison processes. Under the reflection category

Tesser uses Cialdini’s ‘basking in reflected glory’ mechanism in which you associate yourself

with a successful other in order to bolster self-esteem. Under the comparison category we’re

actually talking about ‘downward comparison’ in which you compare yourself to a successful

other, a comparison which makes you look bad.

Another important variable in the process is the relevance variable, this construct tilts the tide

and determines whether the reflection or the comparison mechanism is salient.

If the performance field or subject is important to the self than we can consider it a high

relevancy condition, if the importance is low than it’s a low relevancy condition. This is also the

point where the other party’s performance comes into play. If it is a successful performance

under the high relevancy condition than the comparison process is activated, on the other hand a

successful performance under the low relevancy conditions activates the reflection process.

Finally it’s instructive to say that a sub-par performance provides no such comparative effect

and may even lead to a self-handicapping effect under certain conditions.

An instructive example for the self-evaluation model and the above series of variables is a

‘musical trial for a band’ attended by two friends. If Robert passes the trail for the band and

Julian is left behind because of a poor performance, Julian will feel bad due to social comparison

in a relevant field and in comparison to a close other (this makes it even worse for Julian).

He has a couple of options in front of him: he can practice more to improve future
performances, he can distance himself from Robert, he can devalue the importance of music to

his self-definition, or he can even claim that Robert’s successful performance was due to luck or

foul play.

Personally, I think that the theory shines in its ability to explain kin and romantic

relationships. This is also one of the theory’s greatest benefits to society.

In the case of brothers and sisters when one family member is closer in age to the other one,

performance is perceived to be more relevant and can lead to comparison type of self-evaluation.

This stand in contrast to a distant in age kin, when performance is seen as less relevant and can

more easily lead to a reflection type process.

Similarly the model predicts more romantic compatibility when the romantic partners share

similarity in emotional domains (such as values and opinions) but are dissimilar in ability or

performance domains.

A last point of interest is the final part of the article which explores the relationship between

affect and the self-evaluation model. Except for the obvious result which demonstrate that

success in relevant conditions contributes to positive affect and that other-success in relevant

conditions leads to negative affect, we have an additional discovery which is of interest.

When it’s a low relevance type of condition and the actor is a close other a reflection process

occurs and the distinct emotion which is associated with it is pride in the other person. All the

above are telling outcomes and interesting links between the emotional and cognitive aspects of

the theory.