Social Comparison Theory Essay
Introduction to Social Comparison Theory
Social comparison theory, first introduced by Leon Festinger explains that individuals have an inherent need to evaluate themselves and their place in the world (1954). Individuals look for external standards upon which they can compare themselves and in the absence of objective measures, people look to their social environment. The theory posits that individuals compare themselves to others, and that through these comparisons they develop self-evaluations about their abilities, opinions, appearances etc. (White et al. 2006).
Social comparison theory suggests that people make both upward and downward comparisons and that the direction of the comparison has implications for the effects. Downward social …show more content…
Research has shown that people tend to make comparisons in order to make themselves feel better and to increase positive self-views (Morrison, Kalin, & Morrison, 2004). Furthermore, research has found that people tend to compare themselves with others to whom they share more similarities. A growing area of research has looked at the role of social comparisons on body image. Research on body image has demonstrated contrasting results to previous work looking at social comparisons. Body image research has found that women often make appearance related comparisons, and that they continue to make these comparisons even when they consistently feel worse off. Women have a tendency to make upward comparisons and often compare themselves with others who they perceive to be more attractive. Research has indicated that these upward comparisons have negative implications and may contribute to body dissatisfaction and disordered eating (Fitzsimmons-Craft, …show more content…
This time period is filled with uncertainty of the self and a high emphasis on appearance. Adolescents and young adults are trying to “find their place,” and commonly depend on their surroundings to make self-evaluations (Eyal & Te’eni- Harari, 2013). High school and college environments allow for many opportunities for comparison as much time is spent with similar peers (Carey, Donaghue, & Broderick, 2013). Girls and women compare themselves to others in order develop more clarity as to where their weight/shape stands relative to others. Studies have looked at the role of comparisons with peers as well as the role of comparisons with media images and have investigated how these comparisons are related to body image and body
Social comparison theory, first introduced by Leon Festinger explains that individuals have an inherent need to evaluate themselves and their place in the world (1954). Individuals look for external standards upon which they can compare themselves and in the absence of objective measures, people look to their social environment. The theory posits that individuals compare themselves to others, and that through these comparisons they develop self-evaluations about their abilities, opinions, appearances etc. (White et al. 2006).
Social comparison theory suggests that people make both upward and downward comparisons and that the direction of the comparison has implications for the effects. Downward social …show more content…
Research has shown that people tend to make comparisons in order to make themselves feel better and to increase positive self-views (Morrison, Kalin, & Morrison, 2004). Furthermore, research has found that people tend to compare themselves with others to whom they share more similarities. A growing area of research has looked at the role of social comparisons on body image. Research on body image has demonstrated contrasting results to previous work looking at social comparisons. Body image research has found that women often make appearance related comparisons, and that they continue to make these comparisons even when they consistently feel worse off. Women have a tendency to make upward comparisons and often compare themselves with others who they perceive to be more attractive. Research has indicated that these upward comparisons have negative implications and may contribute to body dissatisfaction and disordered eating (Fitzsimmons-Craft, …show more content…
This time period is filled with uncertainty of the self and a high emphasis on appearance. Adolescents and young adults are trying to “find their place,” and commonly depend on their surroundings to make self-evaluations (Eyal & Te’eni- Harari, 2013). High school and college environments allow for many opportunities for comparison as much time is spent with similar peers (Carey, Donaghue, & Broderick, 2013). Girls and women compare themselves to others in order develop more clarity as to where their weight/shape stands relative to others. Studies have looked at the role of comparisons with peers as well as the role of comparisons with media images and have investigated how these comparisons are related to body image and body