Everyone knows that people are constantly evaluating themselves, and others, in domains such as attractiveness, wealth, intelligence, and success. But, it’s normal to compare all these things with other people that much better than us. Do you know if we do this frequently, it can affect our mental health too? Sit tight and read this until it ends, P-assangers!
This is called ‘social comparison’. Social comparison refers to behavior in which we compare certain aspects of ourselves (e.g., our behavior, opinions, status, and success) with others so that we have better judgments about ourselves. This theory was developed in 1954 by psychologist Leon Festinger. Subsequent research has shown that people who regularly compare themselves to others may find motivation to thrive, but may also experience feelings of deep dissatisfaction, guilt, or remorse, and engage in destructive behaviors such as lying or eating irregularly.
In comparing themselves with others, individuals can choose different people or figures who become ‘benchmarks’. These differences are described in two types of social comparison, including:
1. Upward Social Comparison
Upward social comparison occurs when an individual compares his abilities, opinions or perspectives, as well as his characteristics with other people who are judged to be better than himself. Upward social comparison focuses on the emergence of motivation to improve or improve what is being compared. These new desires and goals can lead to two branches; positive or negative, P-assangers.
Upward Social Comparison have the positive and negative effects. For the positive one, it can be our motivation and learn to develop ourselves become much better or finding our potential. Besides, it is also possible to see themselves as less worthy or inappropriate in carrying out a job or activity.
2. Downward Social Comparison
As opposed to upward, downward social comparison certainly occurs when an individual compares his abilities, opinions or perspectives, as well as his nature with others who are judged not to be better than himself. Comparison of oneself with others who are felt or judged to be no better than himself is essentially done to make himself feel good enough, or a way of expressing gratitude for what he has or the situation he is feeling or experiencing than the person who he compares.
The same is the case with upward social comparisons, the outcomes or results of downward social comparisons can vary. If responded wisely and with a positive mindset, this type of comparison can make individuals happy and bring up positive emotions that provide a positive psychological state as well, as well as increase self-esteem or self-confidence. However, if the comparison is taken poorly and excessively, it can cause unhappiness and anxiety which has the potential to disrupt the psychological state of the individual and trigger depression due to being depressed by the fact that any condition or situation can change at any time for the worse regardless of the effort or dedication of an individual, P-assangers.
Just remember, P-assangers. Social comparison is a normal thing. We shouldn’t blame ourselves if you compare yourself to other person. These behaviors can bring us to be our motivation or the opposite one. So, it’s much better to be more grateful to what we have achieved rather than comparing ourselves to people. Love yourself and keep in mind that you are worthy to youself and other people! See you in the next article, P-assangers.
References :
- https://positivepsychology.com/social-comparison/
- http://yayasanpulih.org/2020/07/mengenal-social-comparison/