The effect of social comparison on mathematics self-concept.

Implicit in the frame of reference hypothesis is the assumption that social comparison is one of the causal determinants of self-concept. The present study of Norwegian sixth-grade elementary school students showed that students of low-, medium-, and high-achievement classes did not differ in mathematics self-concept. Mathematics self-concept was, however, significantly influenced by the students' within-classroom position in mathematics. The results support the frame of reference hypothesis, and the support was consistent over gender.