Année
2026
Abstract
Many organizations offer their members social comparison feedback, which informs them how they perform relative to
others. Previous research has linked social comparison feedback to improved motivation and performance. We propose,
however, that such feedback has psychological costs that disproportionately impact women. Across six pre-registered
studies, we show that social comparison feedback is more aversive and anxiety-inducing for women than for men. The
effects persist after accounting for performance expectations and actual performance. Two mechanisms underlie women’s
greater aversion to social comparison feedback: Compared to men, women are less competitive and more concerned that
social comparisons will harm their relationships. Our findings extend social comparison research by distinguishing between
self-initiated and externally imposed comparisons and documenting a novel gender difference. We discuss the hidden costs
of a common feedback method and the need to consider gendered responses when designing feedback systems.
QIU, J. et KESEBIR, S. (2026). Gender Differences in Aversion to Social Comparison Feedback. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin.