Self-Evaluation Strategies in College Women Trying to Lose Weight: The Relative Use of Objective and Social Comparison Information

Abstract

We examined patterns of self-evaluative information use in a sample of college women who were trying to lose weight (N = 306). Participants described their weight loss experiences and answered questions about their self-evaluative activity via an online survey. The analysis strategy examined the relative use of four types of selfevaluative information (objective, upward social comparison, lateral social comparison, and downward social comparison) to meet three basic self-evaluative motives (accurate self-assessment, self-enhancement, and self-improvement). We also examined the role that dissatisfaction, uncertainty, importance, and self-esteem played in the relative use of information and the relationship of these factors on weight loss success. Our findings support previous research showing the primacy of accurate and self-improvement motives in the domain of weight loss and the usefulness of lateral social comparison information for meeting all three motives. Women evaluating their weight reported using upward social comparison information most often, followed by objective information. Lateral and upward social comparison information were rated as more useful than downward social comparison information for meeting accuracy and self-improvement motives. Both lateral and downward social comparison information were reported as especially useful for self-enhancement, with upward social comparison information rated as least useful. Our study utilized an integrative approach for understanding selfevaluative processes in the area of college women's weight loss. We found general support for our hypotheses regarding well-documented patterns of social comparison information usefulness for meeting three self-evaluative motives. Our data also support earlier research arguing that it is important to view information use in the context of multiple self-evaluative motives.

Factors affecting users’ stickiness of fitness apps: an empirical study based on the S-O-R perspective

“…Although when mentioning social comparison, its negative effects on the relationship between internal drivers and users' continued usage behaviors were often emphasized IJSMS 23,4 because of some frustration and dissatisfaction outcomes (e.g. Schmuck et al, 2019;Wayment et al, 2020), the findings of our study further confirm that there also exist some benefits for social comparisons in the usage process of fitness app include inspiration and selfenhancement. These benefits enable users to have positive perceptions of app usage and increase stickiness intention.…”

“…Despite the negative outcomes of social comparison, which have been concerned by some previous researchers because of its frustration and dissatisfaction outcomes (e.g. Schmuck et al, 2019;Wayment et al, 2020), our findings indicate that users can also benefit from the trend of social comparison. Actually, social comparison inspires users' stickiness of apps is not a new phenomenon, especially in a hedonic information system.…”

“…Schmuck et al. , 2019; Wayment et al. , 2020), our findings indicate that users can also benefit from the trend of social comparison.…”

Operationalizing Behavior Change Theory as Part of Persuasive Technology: A Scoping Review on Social Comparison

“…Details were also mostly lacking for intended social comparison direction. Just four studies described using upward comparison and one study described using all three comparison directions, even though literature has shown that the comparison direction can have a drastic influence on the effect (Corcoran et al, 2020;Wayment et al, 2020) and should therefore be considered carefully in the design. Seven of the 12 reviewed studies combined multiple behavior change strategies.…”

“…The effect of social comparison depends on several contextual factors including the type of "comparison target" (e.g., friend or stranger); the "comparison dimension" (e.g., income or social status); and the "comparison direction" (Arigo et al, 2019). Research furthermore indicates that this comparison directionincluding upward (comparing one's situation to someone who is perceived to be superior), lateral (comparing one's situation to someone who is perceived to be on the same level), and downward (comparing one's situation to someone who is perceived to be worse)-has a significant influence on the effect of social comparison (Corcoran et al, 2020;Wayment et al, 2020). Additional contextual factors include the "perceived similarity" with the target which allows to either identify or contrast oneself with the target as well as the "comparison mode" (e.g., online or in person) (Arigo et al, 2019).…”