There must be more to life than this: The impact of highly-accessible exemplars on self-evaluation and discontent

We examine how self-assessments are influenced by readily-accessible extreme exemplars that embody specific traits, skills, or behavioral tendencies. Because individuals who live especially active and adventurous lives are so noticeable, they tend to spring to mind and serve as benchmarks for self-evaluation, and thereby encourage people to feel that they aren’t getting as much out of life as they should. This is part of a more general...