Difference I/E model

Research Method · All research methods
Evidence · 2 claims (2 for) · 1 study (1 associational), q2 · 0 of 1 report an effect size · 2 claims rest on one study

Description

The difference I/E model, proposed by Wolff (2021), is a reparameterization of the classic I/E model in which "self-concept in one domain is regressed on achievement in the same domain and on the difference between achievement in the same domain and achievement in the other domain." This operationalization aims to separate within-domain achievement effects (including social comparisons) from between-domain achievement effects (including dimensional comparisons), assigning each type of comparison to only one path. Both specifications yield identical model fit and explain the same variance in self-concepts.

Accounts

• Difference I/E Model as a Reparameterization of the Classic I/E Model: The difference I/E model, proposed by Wolff (2021), is a reparameterization of the classic I/E model in which "self-concept in one domain is regressed on achievement in the same domain and on the difference between achievement in the same domain and achievement in the other domain." This operationalization aims to separate within-domain achievement effects (including social comparisons) from between-domain achievement effects (including dimensional comparisons), assigning each type of comparison to only one path. Both specifications yield identical model fit and explain the same variance in self-concepts. (Fabian Wolff et al. (2026))

Claims

• Within-domain effects in the classic I/E model increase after controlling for between-domain effects when the latter are negative, consistent with them reflecting between-domain achievement effects [+M]
• Within-domain effects in the difference I/E model decrease after controlling for between-domain effects when classic I/E between-domain effects are negative [+M]

Related Research Methods

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Key Sources

• Fabian Wolff, Jennifer Schumacher, Jens Möller. (2026). Revisiting the Role of Social and Dimensional Comparisons in the Internal/External Frame of Reference Model: A Systematic Comparison of the Classic and the Difference I/E Model. Educational Psychology Review. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10648-026-10212-w

Page metadata

Field	Value
type	research-method
id	difference-ie-model
title	Difference I/E model
description	The difference I/E model, proposed by Wolff (2021), is a reparameterization of the classic I/E model in which "self-concept in one domain is regressed on achievement in the same domain and on the difference between achievement in the same domain and achievement in the other domain." This operational
status	review
generated	by process:settle-candidates on 2026-10-21
trust	unverified — no one has confirmed this page's content

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