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Motivation and emotion/Book/2024/Better-than-average-effect

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Better-than-average effect:
Why do people tend to think they are better than average, what are the consequences, and what can be done about it?

Overview

The Better-than-average effect (BTAE), also known as Illusory Superiority is a form of bias that occurs in all aspects of life, where an individual will overestimate their capabilities, skill or traits when compared to others. It is not limited to any on aspect of life, but is applicable everywhere, such as sports, driving, intelligence or beauty. Research suggests that there are several psychological reasonings to explain why people will display BTAE, such as motivation, regulating self-esteem and confidence. Despite this, BTAE has clear downfalls, such as being too hard on yourself when you don't live up to your expectations for yourself, overconfidence and arrogance.

Figure 1. An overconfident player misses a shot.

A group of 10 friends decide that they want to try a new sport, so they sign up to a local basketball competition. Talking amongst themselves, seven of the friends believe that despite having never played the sport before, they will be able to shoot and handle the ball well, and place first in the competition.

This scenario demonstrates the better-than-average effect, with the majority of the team believing their skill is greater than that of their peers, despite having no way to prove it.

Do you think the team will enjoy their first season of basketball with their high expectations? Will their BTAE inspired confidence assist them in their games?

Focus questions:

  • What psychological factors contribute to the development of the Better-than-average effect?
  • How does the Better-than-average effect impact relationships, teamwork and collaboration?
  • What are some ways for individuals to find more accurate self-assessments?

Why Individuals think they are above average

There are a myriad of reasons as to why individuals rate themselves higher than the average person. Alicke and Guenther (2010) discuss that individuals will ignore behavioural information when comparing themselves to their peers, and will then apply a better-than-average heuristic.

Self-Enhancement Theory

  • Does an individuals[grammar?] need to display a positive self-image lead to better-than-average effect?
  • How does self-esteem and ego effect an individuals[grammar?] level of better-than-average effect?

Cultural Influences

  • Are differing cultural values playing a role in forming better-than-average effect?
  • Do societal expectations push individuals to feel the need to be better than average, therefore creating better than average effect?

Positives and Negatives

Alicke and Klotz (1995) state that the reasoning behind better-than-average effect is the favourable self-view helps to maintain relatively high levels of self-esteem.

Self-Esteem and Motivation

  • How does better-than-average effect assist with motivation?
  • How does better-that-average effect assist with self-esteem?

Overconfidence and Unrealistic Expectations

  • How can better-than-average effect lead to unrealistic expectations that don't align with self-perception?
  • How can too much better-than-average effect cause overconfidence?
Figure 2. An employee undertaking a performance review to accurately assess their performance.

Dealing with Better-Than-Average Effect

Alicke and Zell (2011) note that BTAE is largely prominent in young adults compared to middle aged and older adults, proposing that they have significantly more time to understand their relative strengths and weaknesses to a greater degree, leading to more modest comparisons.

Seeking Objective Feedback

  • Can utilising regular feedback from peers and mentors help create a more accurate self-evaluation?
  • Would regular visits with a supervisor or group meetings assist in maintaining realistic self-perceptions?

Better-than-Average effect test

1 Are you better than the average driver?:

Yes
No

2 Have you ever received feedback that didn't align with your self-perception?:

Yes
No


Conclusion

  • To be completed

Suggestions for this section:

  • What is the answer to the sub-title question based on psychological theory and research?
  • What are the answers to the focus questions?
  • What are the practical, take-home messages? (Even for the topic development, have a go at the likely take-home message)

See also

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References

Alicke, M. D., Klotz, M. L., Breitenbecher, D. L., Yurak, T. J., & Et al. (1995). Personal contact, individuation, and the better-than-average effect. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 68(5), 804-825. https://doi.org/10.1037//0022-3514.68.5.804

Benoit, J., Dubra, J., & Moore, D. A. (2013). Does the better-than-Average effect show that people are Overconfident?: Two experiments. SSRN Electronic Journal. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2231557

Eriksson, K., & Funcke, A. (2012). Humble self-enhancement: Religiosity and the better-than-Average effect. SSRN Electronic Journal. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2160752

Guenther, C. L., & Alicke, M. D. (2010). Deconstructing the better-than-average effect. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 99(5), 755–770. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0020959

Taylor, S. G., Eisenbarth, H., Sedikides, C., & Alicke, M. D. (2020). Explaining the better‐than‐average effect among prisoners. https://doi.org/10.26686/wgtn.13181120.v1

Zell, E., & Alcike, M. D. (2011). Age and the better-than-Average effect. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 41(5), 1175-1188. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1559-1816.2011.00752.x

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