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Iowa-Netherlands Comparison Orientation Measure (INCOM)

Iowa-Netherlands Comparison Orientation Measure (INCOM) Test

Understand how much you compare yourself to others in skills and opinions in about 3 minutes. A quick 11 item measure that supports counseling, research, and insights into social influence.

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Questions: 113 minutes

Hi! My name is Freudly, i am an AI therapist, I will give you an interpretation of the test after you complete it.

08:30

October 2, 2025

October 2, 2025
Material has been updated

October 2, 2025
Material has been published

27,044 views

3,226 completions

2,783 likes

Verified by Daniel Hall

Psychologist with 25 years of experience

Scale Explorer

How the Scales are Structured

example score

3/5

Opinion Comparison Orientation (OCO)

Measures how strongly a person tends to compare their opinions with others’ views when forming or evaluating their own standpoint.

Low

Moderate

High

1 – 2.3: Low | 2.4 – 3.6: Moderate | 3.7 – 5: High

A score of 3 indicates a moderate tendency to reference others’ opinions, using them sometimes but not relying on them consistently for self-evaluation.

example score

3/5

Ability Comparison Orientation (ACO)

Measures how strongly a person tends to compare their abilities and achievements with those of others.

Low

Moderate

High

1 – 2.3: Low | 2.4 – 3.6: Moderate | 3.7 – 5: High

A score of 3 indicates a moderate tendency to compare your abilities with other people in everyday situations.

example score

3/5

Overall INCOM Score (OIS)

Measures how strongly a person tends to evaluate themselves by comparing their abilities and opinions to those of others.

Low orientation

Moderate orientation

High orientation

1 – 2.3: Low orientation | 2.4 – 3.6: Moderate orientation | 3.7 – 5: High orientation

A score of 3 falls in the Moderate orientation range, suggesting a balanced tendency to use social comparisons for self-evaluation without relying on them constantly.

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DATA-BASED USER COHORTS

Who Usually Takes This Test?

Self-doubt and reassurance seekers

41%OF USERS

People who often measure their abilities against others and look for signs that they are doing “well enough.”

Social media comparison prone

34%OF USERS

Those who frequently compare lifestyle, appearance, or achievements and notice it affects their mood and confidence.

Psychologists and researchers

25%OF USERS

Specialists who need a quick, reliable way to assess social comparison tendencies in clients or study participants.

BASED ON AGGREGATED, ANONYMIZED DATA FROM TENS OF THOUSANDS OF FREUDLY USERS.

RESULTS YOU CAN ACTUALLY USE

Scale Results
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Used in 52+ countries

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See How You Compare

Once you complete the test, your results are compared with real-world data from people in your country.
Below is a preview of how scores are typically distributed across each scale.

Orientation toward comparing opinions (Otco)

Average

Normal range

2.4 — 3.6

min.

max.

Majority

This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear on the scale so you can see how you compare.

Focus on Comparing Abilities (FoCA)

Average

3.7

Normal range

3.1 — 4.4

min.

max.

Majority

This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear on the scale so you can see how you compare.

Overall INCOM score (OIs)

Average

3.5

Normal range

2.8 — 4.2

min.

max.

Majority

This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear on the scale so you can see how you compare.

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CLEAR ANSWERS TO COMMON QUESTIONS

Frequently Asked Questions

What does this questionnaire measure?

It measures how often a person uses other people as a reference point when evaluating abilities, opinions, and feelings. Scores reflect a general tendency to engage in social comparison.

What areas are assessed by the items?

Items cover two domains: comparison of abilities and reliance on others to form opinions and emotional reactions. Together they describe a person’s typical comparison strategy.

How should the statements be rated?

Each statement should be rated based on usual behavior, not on one specific event. Responses should reflect the first, most typical impression.

How long does it take and how many items are included?

Completion time is approximately three minutes. The questionnaire contains 11 statements.

How should results be interpreted and used?

Higher scores indicate more frequent and more salient social comparison in everyday life. Results are used for screening and research and should be interpreted alongside other information rather than as a standalone diagnosis.

WHAT THE TEST MEASURES

About This Assessment

Iowa-Netherlands Comparison Orientation Measure (INCOM) Test - Symptoms and Signs

social comparisons

Social comparison processes can shape how individuals appraise themselves and calibrate behavior in interpersonal contexts. The Iowa-Netherlands Comparison Orientation Measure (INCOM) is a brief self-report instrument designed to assess an individual’s general tendency to engage in social comparison. It includes content reflecting comparison of abilities and comparison of opinions.

The measure consists of 11 items and typically takes about 3 minutes to complete. Respondents rate brief statements, and results are interpreted as an index of comparison orientation that may be relevant to understanding sensitivity to social influence and evaluative self-focus.

Developed by Thomas Mussweiler, the Iowa-Netherlands Comparison Orientation Measure (INCOM) is commonly used in research and may be incorporated into clinical or applied assessments when social comparison tendencies are a focus.

Author: jerry-suls, Thomas Mussweiler

Literature: Festinger, L. A theory of social comparison processes. Human Relations. 1954.; Gibbons, F. X., & Buunk, B. P. Individual differences in social comparison: Development of a scale of social comparison orientation. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. 1999.

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