What process involves making judgments about oneself by comparing to others?

The correct answer is significant because social comparison is a psychological process where individuals evaluate their own opinions, abilities, and beliefs by comparing themselves to others. This comparison can take place on various dimensions, such as performance, appearance, or socioeconomic status, and plays a crucial role in self-perception and self-esteem. The process can lead to feelings of inadequacy or pride, depending on whether one compares favorably or unfavorably to peers.

Social comparison is essential for individuals to understand their social standing and to gauge their own abilities in relation to the expectations or norms presented by their social environment. This process is integral in shaping identity and can have profound implications for motivation and behavior.

In contrast, self-assessment refers to an individual's evaluation of their own work or skills without necessarily involving comparisons to others. Peer evaluation involves assessments made by colleagues or peers but does not inherently involve the internal comparison process characteristic of social comparison. Behavioral comparison, while it may seem relevant, is less commonly used in psychological contexts for describing the comparison between oneself and others' attributes.