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Jul 20, 2023 · Social comparison examples. Everyone takes part in social comparison to some degree. Here are a few common examples: Intellectual: You might feel inspired (or intimidated) by someone you think is smarter than you. Or you might feel better about yourself when your boss recognizes your intellectual achievements in front of coworkers.
- Social Comparison Theory Defined
- History of Social Comparison Theory
- Summary of Festinger’s Social Comparison Theory
- The Direction of Social Comparison
- 12 Real-Life Examples
- Contrast vs. Assimilation
- Measuring Social Comparison: A Scale
- Social Comparison and Depression
- The Link Between Social Media and Self-Esteem
- A Better Approach: Gratitude
How many times have you compared yourself to your friends or colleagues using a trait that you consider desirable, for example, money or success? In literature, this comparison is known as social comparison. Social comparison refers to a behavior where we compare certain aspects of ourselves (e.g., our behavior, opinions, status, and success) to ot...
The concept of social comparison was first termed and fully developed by Festinger (1954), who hypothesized that we are unable to self-judge our opinions and abilitiesaccurately and instead rely on comparing ourselves to other people to form an evaluation. These assessments created through comparisons with other people are referred to as social com...
In his 1954 paper, Festinger outlined nine hypotheses about our behavior and motivations when using social comparisons under different scenarios. Festinger’s argument begins with the initial hypothesis that evaluating our skills and opinions is extremely important for our survival. Good examples of survival behaviors and beliefs include running qui...
Social comparisons are described as either upward or downward. When we engage in upward social comparison, we compare ourselves to someone who is (perceived to be or performing) better than we are. In contrast, when we engage in downward social comparison, we compare ourselves to someone who is (perceived to be or performing) worse than we are. The...
Naomi Osaka describing how Apolo Ohno is her role model Each of us has relied on upward or downward social experiences. I’ve provided a list of some everyday examples where we might use comparisons. Perhaps some of these examples resonate with you. These are only a snapshot of some of the examples of social comparison behaviors that we might demons...
Desiderata Upward and downward social comparisons can lead to negative or positive outcomes. The distinction is more nuanced than merely positive and negative outcomes, though. Comparisons can be further classified as contrastive or assimilative.
In early research, social comparison was measured using Likert scales and open-ended questions in an interview (Wood et al., 1985). Wood et al. (1985) reported a group of patients who were diagnosed with cancer and asked them how much contact they had with other patients, whether they compared their current situation with that of other people, and ...
Although we all engage in social comparison behaviors, we might do so at varying rates. Some people engage in comparisons more often than others. Buunk and Gibbons (2007) argue that people with certain personality types are more likely to make social comparisons. Specifically, individuals with the following traits are more likely to engage in socia...
Social media platforms, such as Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, are good examples of modern-day opportunities for social comparison. We can browse our friends’ photographs, read updates about their lives, and learn about big and special events. Social media posts, however, are overwhelming, and as a result, we are often engaging in upward social ...
Roy T. Bennett, The Light in the Heart One of the challenges of social comparison theory is deciding who we’re going to compare ourselves to, especially since the outcome of the social comparison differs according to the type of comparison (contrastive/assimilative), as well as our characteristics. This can be especially important for people who ar...
Social Comparison Theory Examples - Social Media . Social media has significantly changed the way that we compare ourselves to others. People put their best foot forward on their platforms, making their lives look more fun or successful than they really are.
However, predatory advertisements (e.g. “thinspiration” and detox programs), idealized lives from influencers, and cyberbullying are the main culprits within social media that lead to comparison and negative outcomes: increased depression, anxiety, disordered eating, suicidal thoughts, etc.
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In social comparison theory, individuals engage in both upward and downward comparisons. When making upward comparisons, we look at individuals who possess qualities or achievements that we aspire to have ourselves. For example, someone might compare their athletic abilities to a professional athlete or their intelligence to a renowned scholar.
Jan 1, 2022 · Social comparisons—comparisons between the self and others—are a fundamental mechanism influencing people’s judgments, experiences, and behavior. Psychological research supports the notion ...
Apr 5, 2024 · At its core, Social Comparison Theory posits that individuals determine their own social and personal worth based on how they stack up against others. Festinger proposed two main types of social comparison: Upward and Downward. Social Comparison Theory suggests that individuals engage in these comparisons as a means of self-evaluation and self ...
