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Self-Other Comparisons

Self-other comparisons are an inevitable aspect of human existence. Self-other comparisons can be upward or downward depending on how the self views the other in the comparison (comparatively better in downward and comparatively worse in upward). Lin and Tsai (2007) note that "comparisons affect people's self-perception," with "upward comparisons negatively affecting people's self-perception" and "downward comparisons positively affecting people's self-perception" (p. 763). Since self-concept is shaped by self-other comparisons, the focus of this paper will be to select several instances from the data that informs this process. How self-other comparisons create self-definition in small group interactions will also be addressed. A conclusion will address the significance of this issue on human development.

Leon Festinger developed social comparison theory in the 1950s, postulating that humans have "a drive to evaluate their opinions and abilities, and, in the absence of objective standards, "individuals compare themselves with other people" (Lin & Tsai, 2007, p. 762). This is squarely supported by the general collection of data of self-other comparisons I generated from students. All of them seem to attempt to measure some form of opinion, ability or appearance by self-other comparison. One woman "feels inferior" when she looks at the flat stomachs of the TV models, while another laments her life opportunities compared to the wealthy Kardashian family, who took a "year long" vacation and caused the woman to admit "I was jealous" (Research, 2009, I4, p. 7). In many instances the self-other comparisons were upward.

Because many of the self-other comparisons were upward, the data seem to show that upward self-other comparisons have a negative impact on self-concept. Time and again in incident after incident, the self-other comparer in an upward comparison felt poorly about themselves. One student...

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Self-Other Comparisons. (1969, December 31). In LotsofEssays.com. Retrieved 05:40, March 29, 2024, from https://www.lotsofessays.com/viewpaper/2000947.html