Self-Evaluation Maintenance Model

The self-evaluation maintenance model explains how individuals regulate their self-esteem by comparing themselves to others.

It rests on two key assumptions: that people seek to preserve self-esteem and that others’ achievements affect self-evaluation.

The model outlines two contrasting processes—comparison and reflection—that arise in response to others’ accomplishments.

Comparison arises when a close other's success feels threatening, harming self-esteem and relationships. For example, outperforming a friend may evoke pride in one person but envy or resentment in the other.

In contrast, reflection happens when a close other’s success enhances one’s self-evaluation, especially when the person is emotionally close.

The reflection process includes two components–closeness and performance.

Closeness refers to psychological ties such as friendships, family, or physical proximity, which can create a sense of pride in another person’s success.

Likewise, if the other individual’s performance is weak, self-evaluation remains unchanged, regardless of closeness.

In contrast, strong performance by a close other can either boost self-evaluation through reflection or lower it through comparison, depending on how the self measures up.