HPS304 Lecture Notes - Lecture 8: Social Comparison Theory
Document Summary
Rarity of measuring this objectively, people base: cognitions, feelings, and behaviours in those of others. Seek out similar others to validate perceptions & attitudes known as lateral comparison. Case of behaviours: people seek others who fair slightly worse then they do, thereby delivering a positive evaluation regarding the self-concept (downward) No choice but to compare oneself to a more competent individual (upward), can have negative effects on self-esteem. Self-evaluation model: people avoid this by downplaying their similarity with another person or withdraw from the relationship. Relationship uncertainty and/or distress may influence the degree of people"s tendency to make social comparisons. Seen in western society to more egalitarian relationships. Men and women perceiving themselves as equal in relationships. Make it more uncertain how men/women should behave in relationships. As there are no standardised ideas regarding the roles for partners in egalitarian relationships. Lack of role models (due to subscription to genderised roles) Need to develop own rules, standards and expectations.
