Students Compete and Unveil Honor and Shame: The Psychological Impact of Academic and Social Comparison Among Chinese High School Students

Qiangyan Hou; Haiqing Wang

doi:10.62177/amit.v1i4.501

Authors

Qiangyan Hou Northwest Normal University
Haiqing Wang Northwest Normal University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.62177/amit.v1i4.501

Keywords:

Academic Social Comparison, Academic Shame, Achievement, High School Student

Abstract

This study aimed to explore the influence of academic social comparison on academic shame in high school students. A total of 80 students from two classes in a high school in Jilin City were randomly selected for experimental research. The participants were divided into two groups (high-achieving group & low-achieving group) and surveyed using academic social comparison paradigms, academic social comparison questionnaires, and academic shame questionnaires. The results showed significant differences in academic social comparison on grades (t = -2.038, p < 0.05), while no significant differences were found in academic shame on grades. There was a significant positive correlation between academic social comparison and academic shame (r = 0.362, p < 0.01), a significant positive correlation between grades and academic social comparison (r = 0.225, p < 0.05), and no significant correlation between grades and academic shame. Academic social comparison positively predicted academic shame (β = 0.362, t = 3.427, p < 0.01), with grades acting as a moderator between academic social comparison and academic shame (β = 0.363, t = 3.531, p < 0.01). Therefore, it is crucial to observe students' emotional states timely after various examinations, and provide education and counseling based on individual characteristics.

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