Social comparison in everyday life.

Abstract

Ninety-four college students recorded details of their social comparisons over 2 weeks using a new instrument, the Rochester Social Comparison Record. Major results were (a) comparison direction varied with relationship with the target; (b) precomparison negative mood led more often to upward comparison than to downward comparison, supporting a selective affect-cognition priming model in which dysphoria primes negative thoughts about the self (Bower, 1991;Forgas, Bower, & Moylan, 1990) rather than a motivational self-enhancement model (Wills, 1981(Wills, ,1991; (c) upward comparison decreased subjective well-being, whereas downward comparison increased it; and (d) high self-esteem individuals engaged in more self-enhancing comparison.Portions of the article were presented at the meeting of the American Psychological Society, Dallas, Texas, June 1990. Preparation of this article was supported by the University of Rochester.We are very grateful to Miron Zuckerman for his support and suggestions throughout this project and to Rachel Lewis, Carol Cutalo, and Sharon Lazarow for their assistance in data collection.

Calidad de vida: Una revisión teórica del concepto

“…Pese a esto, algunos estudios han referido posibles consecuencias en la esfera afectiva y en el bienestar psicológico derivado de las posibles formas de compararnos con otros (Buunk, Collins, Dakof, Taylor & VanYperen, 1990;Buunk, Gibbons, Belmonte, Peiró & Zurriaga, 2005;Buunk, Ybema, Gibbons & Ipenburg, 2001;Michinov, 2007). En este sentido, aquellos que tienden a compararse hacia arriba presentan mayores efectos negativos en sus afectos (Buunk, 2006;Buunk, Peiró, Rodríguez & Bravo, 2006), en tanto aquellos que se comparan hacia abajo, podrían generar mayor efecto positivo, especialmente cuando la persona que se compara está sometida a estrés o morbilidad (Buunk, 2006;Buunk & Ybema, 1997;Friedswijk, Buunk, Steverink & Slaets, 2004;Gibbons & alfonso urzúa m. & alEjandra caQuEo-urízar Buunk, 1999;Gibbons, Gerrard, Lando & McGovern 1991;Taylor, Wood & Lichtman, 1985; Van der Zee, Buunk & Sanderman, 1998;Van Yperen, Brenninkmeijer & Buunk, 2006;Wheeler & Miyake, 1992).…”

Facebook Users’ Engagement and Perceived Life Satisfaction

“…An individual has little control over the amount of asset information received during any given exchange (Sharkey & Singelis, 1995). Comparisons made under these circumstances are less deliberate and are more likely to have a negative impact (Wheeler & Miyake, 1992).…”

“…Social comparison theories argue that humans tend to assess their own social standing, attributes, skills and other self-defining elements relative to others about whom they have access to information (Wheeler & Miyake, 1992). These points of access may be workrelated (Fischer, Kastenmuller, Frey, & Peus, 2009), personal or romantic (Brewer & Weber, 1994;Salovey & Rodin, 1984), or mediated (Wilcox & Laird, 2000).…”

“…Because individuals have some control over the information sought, exchanges focusing on lifestyle are often associated with downward comparisons (i.e., perceiving one's self as superior). Downward comparisons tend to result in more positive affective reactions (Wheeler & Miyake, 1992). Asset information is considered forced data because it is presented via the "raw materials" of personal information (i.e., abilities, social skills and appearance).…”

Upward, Downward, and Horizontal Social Comparisons: Effects on Adjustment, Emotions, and Persistence in Teachers

“…The psychological benefits of downward comparisons are supported by research showing this strategy to be more beneficial for overall adjustment and mood than upward or horizontal comparisons (Locke, 2003), with individuals often engaging in downward comparisons when they feel threatened or perceive a lack of personal control (Stewart, Chipperfield, Ruthig, & Heckhausen, 2013;Pyszcynski, Greenberg, & Laprelle, 1985;Wheeler & Miyake, 1992;Wills, 1981). Although some studies suggest downward comparisons can negatively affect selfevaluations and emotions under stressful circumstances (Buunk, Collins, Taylor, VanYperen, & Dakof, 1990;Kemmelmeier & Oyserman, 2001), other findings show downward comparisons to help maintain positive self-perceptions and emotional well-being (Bailis & Chipperfield, 2006;Lockwood, Dolderman, Sadler, & Gerchak, 2004), particularly in lowcontrol circumstances (e.g., older adulthood; Bailis et al, 2005;Heckhausen & Schulz, 1995).…”