MOTIVATION AND ITS DISCONTENTS

The better-than-average (BTA) and optimistic bias (OB) effects are two of the most pervasive and reliable phenomena in the area of social comparison.  Initial explanations of these effects centered on "motivational" mechanisms, such as the desire to enhance or protect the self.  In the past few years, various "non-motivational" mechanisms have been proffered, including focalism, egocentrism, and generalized group accounts.  In this talk, I would like to review the status of the current evidence as it bears on the various explanations for these effects.