What is the concept of social comparison theory?
What is the concept of 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 does social comparison mean in psychology?
Social comparison is a normal behavior strategy where we seek to better understand our status relating to ability, opinion, emotional reaction, and more, by comparing ourselves to other people.
What are two social comparison theories?
Upward and Downward Comparisons According to the social comparison theory, there are two types of comparison: Upward comparison. Downward comparison.
What are the types of social comparison theory explain each?
Three types of social comparison are proposed in the theory: (a) upward social comparison, or comparing oneself with someone judged to be better than oneself (e.g., by having more wealth or material goods, higher social standing, greater physical attractiveness); (b) downward social comparison, or comparing oneself …
What is the social comparison theory quizlet?
Leon Festinger (1954), Holds that we learn about our own abilities and attitudes by comparing ourselves to other people.
What is social comparison in your own words?
Social comparison is the act of contrasting one’s own life with the lives of other people as they are publicly represented.
Who proposed social comparison theory?
The social comparison theory was first proposed by American social psychologist Leon Festinger in his 1954 paper “A theory of social comparison processes”.
What are examples of social comparisons?
For example, a music student might compare herself to the star student of the class. If she finds that her abilities do not measure up to her peer’s talents, she might be driven to achieve more and improve her abilities.
What are the two main factors in social comparison?
In most cases, we try to compare ourselves to those in our peer group or with whom we are similar. 2 There are two kinds of social comparison—upward social comparison and downward social comparison.
What is social comparison and how does it affect children’s self concept quizlet?
Social comparison helps school age children value themselves and abandon the imaginary, rosy self-evaluation of preschoolers. The self- concept becomes more realistic, incorporating comparison to peers and judgements from the overall society. Children become more aware of gender discrimination, racial differences, etc.
How does social comparison affect child’s self concept?
Social comparison is the idea that people learn about their own attitudes, beliefs and abilities by comparing themselves to the other people around them (Aronson, Wilson, & Akert, 2010). Self-Esteem is the evaluation of oneself (Erkut, n.d.).
Why is the concept of social comparison important to human behavior?
We use social comparison to determine the accuracy and appropriateness of our thoughts, feelings, and behavior. When we are able to compare ourselves favorably with others through downward social comparison, we feel good about ourselves.
Why is social comparison important to human behavior?
Why is social comparison particularly important during middle childhood?
Why is social comparison particularly powerful during middle childhood? Social comparison helps with self-concept, it helps them value themselves and abandon the imaginary. it also helps with awareness of prejudice and gender discrimination. an increase in self-understanding and social awareness.
In what way will social comparison help the development of children’s sense of self?
What are social comparisons with example?
You might immediately think of a friend who plays on his school’s basketball team. This is an example of upward social comparison. In comparison to him, your performance is not nearly as skilled. At first you may feel discouraged by the gap between your ability levels.
How has social comparison affected your behavior?
There are certain moderators to the social comparison that impact their effects, such as self-esteem levels and moods. If one has high confidence when they engage in comparisons, they are more likely to compare upward than downward, and the effect will be positive.
What is social comparison and how does it affect children’s self-concept quizlet?
How does social comparison affect child’s self-concept?
How has your self-concept been influenced by social comparison?
Upward and Downward Comparisons Influence Our Self-Esteem When we are able to compare ourselves favorably with others, we feel good about ourselves, but when the outcome of comparison suggests that others are better or better off than we are, then our self-esteem is likely to suffer.
How can social comparison affect one’s or individual self-esteem?
When we are able to compare ourselves favorably with others, we feel good about ourselves, but when the outcome of comparison suggests that others are better or better off than we are, then our self-esteem is likely to suffer.
What is social comparison theory in psychology?
In psychology, social comparison theory is one explanation for this tendency we have to make comparisons between ourselves and others. Let’s take a closer look at how social comparison theory works and how the comparison we make influence the views we may hold of ourselves.
What is an example of comparison in psychology?
She may also compare her abilities to those of students who play other instruments as well. Psychologist Leon Festinger believed that we engage in this comparison process as a way of establishing a benchmark by which we can make accurate evaluations of ourselves. For example, a music student might compare herself to the star student of the class.
What is upward social comparison in psychology?
Upward Social Comparison. This takes place when we compare ourselves with those who we believe are better than us. These upward comparisons often focus on the desire to improve our current level of ability. We might compare ourselves to someone better off and look for ways that we can also achieve similar results.
What happens when you compare yourself to others?
Later research has shown that people who regularly compare themselves to others may find motivation to improve, but may also experience feelings of deep dissatisfaction, guilt, or remorse, and engage in destructive behaviors like lying or disordered eating.