What is an upward comparison?

What is an upward comparison?

Upward comparison occurs when people compare themselves to someone they perceive to be superior (Wheeler, 1966), whereas a downward comparison is defined by making a comparison with someone perceived to be inferior (Wills, 1981).

What is the meaning of downward social comparison?

Downward social comparisons involve comparisons with a target that is considered inferior on the dimension of interest and provided evidence that an individual is better than others. Traditionally, downward comparisons were assumed to lead to positive self-evaluation.

What is lateral comparison?

Lateral social comparison: This refers to comparing yourself to someone you see as “equal” to you in various areas. Most likely, this person would be a peer, as we tend to compare ourselves most often with others of the same age.

What are the three types of social comparison?

In upward comparisons, we compare ourselves with those we believe are better than us in some way; in downward comparisons, we do the opposite.

Why is upward social comparison?

Upward social comparison was thought to result in more negative feelings (e.g., shame, inferiority); the research, however, is equivocal. Upward social comparison can be helpful because it allows for self-enhancement; for example, we might feel motivated to improve our performance (Collins, 1996).

What is Festinger’s social comparison theory?

Social comparison theory was first proposed in 1954 by psychologist Leon Festinger and suggested that people have an innate drive to evaluate themselves, often in comparison to others. As she evaluates her skills and progress, she will compare her performance to other students in the class.

What is it called when you compare yourself to others on social media?

Social comparison is a form of sociological self-esteem, where we derive our sense of self through comparing ourselves with others (Festinger, 1954). Conversely, upward social comparisons can reduce self-esteem, and are more likely with social media.

Which is an example of using a downward comparison?

When we make downward comparisons, we judge ourselves against people who are less skilled or fortunate than ourselves. For instance, a tween who is struggling in soccer might compare himself to the worst player on the team and think, “Well at least I can block better than he can.”

What are types of social comparison?

There are two major types of social comparison: upward comparison, when people compare themselves to people who are better than they are, and downward comparison, when people compare themselves to those who are less proficient than they are. Both upward and downward comparisons have strengths and weaknesses.

What is the basic principle behind social comparison theory?

Social comparison theory is the idea that individuals determine their own social and personal worth based on how they stack up against others. The theory was developed in 1954 by psychologist Leon Festinger.

What is social comparison in sociology?

– Definition from WhatIs.com Social comparison is the act of contrasting one’s own life with the lives of other people as they are publicly represented.

What are the consequences of social comparison?

Consequences of Social Comparison. The social comparison process has been associated with numerous consequences. For one, social comparison can impact self-esteem (Tesser, 1988), especially when doing well relative to others. For example, having the best final score in a class can increase your self-esteem quite a bit.

How do you use social comparison in a sentence?

Take, for example, a realistic scenario where Olivia uses social comparison to gauge her abilities: Olivia is a high school student who often spends a few hours in her backyard shooting a soccer ball at her homemade goal. A friend of hers suggests she try out for the school’s soccer team.

What do you mean by comparison theory?

In this comparison theory we tend to group with people with similar attitudes and abilities. SOCIAL COMPARISON THEORY: “In social comparison theory we tend to group with people with similar attitudes and abilities.”