The study shows that different combinations
of social comparison feedback and financial incentives can lead to a significant difference in outcomes within workplace competitions.
A significant difference was found between individuals with and without symptoms of depression on levels of automatic negative thoughts,
downward social comparison and self - esteem.
Participants also answered a series of questions related to
social comparison theory — how much people compare themselves to others.
Where students stand: A theoretical framework for investigating student's
social comparison as a mechanism for the relationship between inequality and education.
The findings from this study offer preliminary highlights about
social comparisons adolescents may make that contribute to their willingness to disclose information to their parents and their decisions to engage in particular risk behaviors.
That said,
social comparisons happen naturally and do not need to be negative, especially if a balance is struck between upward and downward comparisons.
But women who used the self -
improvement social comparison («I would like my body to look like this woman's body») actually saw increases in body satisfaction.
Psychologists call this «
social comparison theory,» where humans have an innate need to compare themselves to each other.
This work, more recently grounded
in social comparison theoretical traditions [17], has documented differences between parent and adolescent expectations about adolescents» behavioral autonomy [19], the timing of the resolution [20], and social conventions [21 — 22].
In addition, downward
social comparison effects — or comparing oneself to someone perceived as less skilled — were identified as participants that perceived their avatar as more obese than their virtual opponent showed decreased physical activity in the real world while playing the game.
«Facebook provides the perfect platform
for social comparisons, with millions of profiles and information about people.
Madison was another young adult using social media, and she was someone pushed to the edge
by social comparison.
Tweens rely heavily
on social comparison as they develop their sense of self - esteem, which in turn can affect their general well - being.
«One reason that so many companies employ energy reports
with social comparisons is that they have been validated in large randomized control trials.
The results suggested that the link between materialism and Facebook activity can be partly explained by materialists displaying a stronger
social comparison orientation, having more Facebook friends, and objectifying and instrumentalizing their friends more intensely.
How can adults — parents, educators, software designers, social media entrepreneurs — fortify the more discerning approach and safeguard teens against making the kinds of
negative social comparisons that compromise their wellbeing?
Quite possibly, exposure to relationship media may lower satisfaction as the result of
upward social comparisons (i.e., comparing the self to someone better off).5 Let's be honest, as a billionaire, philanthropist, and sex god, Christian Grey sets the bar pretty high.
Prior research has shown that the use of social media may detract from face - to - face relationships, reduce investment in meaningful activities, increase sedentary behavior by encouraging more screen time, lead to internet addiction, and erode self - esteem through
unfavorable social comparison.
«Friendly competition and a financial incentive increases team exercise: Step counts were highest and goals were achieved most when participants
received social comparison feedback and were offered incentives.»
«When success does not
involve social comparison, as is the case when meeting a set goal, defined standard or recalling a personal achievement, dishonesty decreases.»
You can also place the emphasis on individual progress by
reducing social comparison (e.g. making grades private) and recognizing student improvement and effort.
It also has a feature
called Social Comparison, which shows where you fit into the bigger picture of borrowers and lenders.
Social Comparison Bias: The tendency when making hiring decisions to favor candidates who don't compete with one's own strengths.
In a second line of research, Lisa is looking at how narcissistic individuals use
social comparison information in the domain of sexuality to maintain their grandiose self - views and evaluate their relationships.
Sabrina Thai - Graduate Student, Psychology, University of Toronto Sabrina's research focuses on
relational social comparisons to better - off and worse - off others, including individuals» responses to learning that partners have performed better or worst than them.
Shmotkin suggests that people may adapt to old age by adjusting their aspirations, using
complimentary social comparisons, and restraining their emotional reactivity.
Perhaps the best example of a holiday that
triggers social comparison and motivates people to fall into negative thinking traps is New Year's Eve: the only holiday that bridges the old and new years.
The tasks included; completing a daily gratitude diary, comparing him or herself to less fortunate others (
downward social comparison) and focusing on negative daily hassles.
According to
social comparison theory, if we want to know where we stand on a particular behavior, we compare ourselves to our peers.4 So if you want to know if your faithfulness to your partner is typical, you can compare yourself to others.
After the optimal point of needs is met, people may be driven by desires such as pursuing more material gains and engaging
in social comparisons, which could, ironically, lower well - being.
A study published in the spring in the Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology found that spending a lot of time on Facebook might lead to depressed feelings because of tendency to
make social comparisons.
They do not favor harsh physical punishment or put - downs, such as ridicule or
negative social comparison, which attack the child's sense of personal worth.
Whereas both men and women judge successful women harshly, women apparently do so «as a self - protective strategy against threatening
upward social comparisons.»
[jounal] Ruble, D. N. / 1980 / Developmental analysis of the role
of social comparison in self - evaluation / Developmental Psychology 16: 105 ~ 115
When success is measured
by social comparison, as is the case when winning a competition, dishonesty increases,» Schurr explains.