What is downward comparison?

What is downward comparison?

Defining Downward Comparisons Downward comparisons are one type of social comparison or an assessment of how we measure up against our peers. When we make downward comparisons, we judge ourselves against people who are less skilled or fortunate than ourselves.

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 do you much prefer upward or downward comparison?

Contrastive comparisons further emphasize the difference between the compared persons and us. For upward comparisons, we are seen as more inferior to the comparison person, and for downward comparisons, we are considered as more superior.

In what way the downward comparison and upward comparison affect self-esteem?

Downward social comparison occurs when we attempt to create a positive image of ourselves through favorable comparisons with others who are worse off than we are. Upward comparison may lower our self-esteem by reminding us that we are not as well off as others.

Which is an example of using a downward comparison quizlet?

Which is an example of using a downward comparison? She tends to compare herself to the other women in the show, but she does not compare herself to the famous soprano Maria Callas, whose opera career was legendary.

Is downward social comparison?

Downward social comparison is a defensive tendency that is used as a means of self-evaluation. When a person looks to another individual or group that they consider to be worse off than themselves in order to feel better about their self or personal situation, they are making a downward social comparison.

What is the difference between upward and downward social comparison?

Social comparison can be upward or downward in nature. 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).

Which of the following is an effect of downward social comparison?

Considerable research also has examined the effects of downward social comparisons. They have been shown to increase positive affect, decrease negative affect, heighten optimism about the future, increase relationship satisfaction, and enhance self-esteem.

What benefits will a person get when using downward social comparison?

Why do people engage in downward social comparison?

Sometimes people wish to self-enhance— to feel better about themselves—which may lead them to compare downward. In a highly influential article in 1981, Thomas Wills proposed that when individuals are low in subjective well-being, they often make downward social comparisons in an attempt to feel better.

Which of the following is an example of a downward comparison?

Downward comparison is when an individual compares themselves to someone who is considered beneath them. An example of this would be when a person who has worked hard to attain some knowledge now views those without that knowledge as inferior.

Which of the following is the best example of a downward comparison?