Social Comparison Theory
Social Comparison Theory states that individuals determine their own social and personal worth based on how they stack up against others they perceive as somehow faring better or worse.
two types of social comparison:
- upward - we make upward comparisons with people who we think are better than us
- downward - we make downward comparisons with those who we think are worse off
Why We Compare?
a way to foster:
- self-improvement
- self-motivation
- positive self-image
What Domains Do We Compare?
- attractiveness
- wealth
- intelligence
- success
- popularity
Effects of Regular Comparison
- experience negative feelings
- deep dissatisfaction
- guilt
- remorse
- engage in destructive behaviors: from lying to disordered eating
, multiple selections available,