Social Comparison Theory
Version 1.0.0 · Updated 2026-07-30
CORE DEFINITION
Humans have an instinct to evaluate their own abilities, and when objective standards are lacking, they evaluate themselves by comparing with others. Upward comparison (comparing with those better off) brings motivation but also inferiority; downward comparison (comparing with those worse off) brings comfort but also stagnation.
SCAFFOLDING EFFECT
Reduce cognitive load
A regulator for well-being. If you want to improve, do more upward comparisons (to find gaps); if you want to be happy, do more downward comparisons (to be content). Depression often stems from only doing upward comparisons and ignoring downward ones.
Anchor fast decisions
Festinger proposed that when objective standards are lacking, people establish self-positioning by comparing with similar others. Upward comparison provides learning goals but may threaten self-esteem; downward comparison protects self-esteem but weakens ambition. Social media amplifies the frequency and intensity of upward comparisons, making 'relative deprivation' more likely to occur.
MINIMUM ACTION
In progress 0/1Practice this model in one real situation:
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Source support: Explicit
- zh.wikipedia.orghttps://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E7%A4%BE%E4%BC%9A%E6%AF%94%E8%BE%83%E7%90%86%E8%AE%BAverified
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