Previous research has generally supported Festinger's proposal that similar others are preferred sources of comparison information, but has not examined the use to which the information is put. Subjects in the present study took a test and received a score and comparison information from both similar and dissimilar others. A change in the overall central tendency from a baseline value produced a significant shift in ability estimates only if the change involved the scores of similar others. Thus, selectivity in the desire for information extends to the use of that information for self-evaluation.
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