Biased Social Comparison in the Moment of Crisis : The Better-Than-Average Effect and COVID-19

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Authors
Kulesza, Wojciech
Doliński, Dariusz
Muniak, Paweł
Winner, Daisy
Izydorczak, Kamil
Derakhshan, Ali
Rizulla, Aidana
Monograph
Monograph (alternative title)
Date
2023-01
Publisher
Journal title
Social Psychology
Issue
1-2
Volume
54
Pages
Pages
40-51
ISSN
1864-9335
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Access date
2022-09-14
Abstract PL
Abstract EN
The better-than-average effect (BTAE) is a mechanism where people perceive oneself as better than others. The BTAE could be one of the phenomena explaining why people follow – in the moment of a global health crisis – guidelines (“I am superior to others, and I [will]) take extra precautions, e.g., a vaccine shot”). In this paper, we investigate the BTAE with 3,066 respondents. In Study 1, in all countries, across two measurements in time, the BTAE was present: Participants rated their involvement in self-protection as greater in comparison to others. Study 2 replicated this effect, proving its robustness. Participants estimated their willingness to vaccinate as higher than others. The BTAE was a significant predictor of willingness to vaccinate.
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Keywords PL
Keywords EN
social comparisons
better-than-average effect (BTAE)
unrealistic optimism (UO)
crisis
COVID-19 pandemic
cognitive biases
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cc-by
Except as otherwise noted, this item is licensed under the Attribution licence | Permitted use of copyrighted works
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Acquisition Date4.04.2025
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Acquisition Date4.04.2025
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