Abstract
Social comparison theory states that when objective criteria are absent, people evaluate themselves by comparison with others. This tendency should then produce a negative correlation between ratings of self and others. 48 college students rated themselves and others on moral values. Positive rather than negative correlations were found between self-ratings and ratings given to others on moral attributes. The findings were interpreted by hypothesizing that people form world views about the goodness of human nature. This general world view would result in a positive correlation between ratings given to self and others when no clear-cut objective criterion for evaluation are present.