Social comparison in literature

¶ … consequences of social comparisons, by using two studies that indicate the consequences are not always what many researchers have always assumed they would be. In fact, the studies indicated that upward and downward comparisons do not always produce outcomes that are "particularly affective." These outcomes often depend on the self-esteem and general outlook of the subject, rather than the upward or downward direction of the comparison.

The first study shows that most people perceive upward or downward comparisons as either positive or negative. Both directions can actually be construed positively, but that really depends on the individual. In effect, the subject can construe any comparison positively; much of this depends on their own personality and outlook. As expected, downward comparisons often led to negative results, and positive results often came from upward comparisons, but there were exceptions to these results, of course. For example, the study noted that many subjects became depressed when they heard another cancer sufferer was doing better than they were. This upward comparison led to a downward or negative result.

The studies also indicate the results may be different for different situations, which is interesting. The author compares the experience of cancer with the experience of marriage, and notes that an upward comparison to another, happier couple in marriage may bring on negative feelings, especially if the marriage is on shaky ground, while an upward comparison to another cancer patient might bring hope and positive feelings for the patient themselves. Thus, the same kind of upward or downward comparison does not always present the same results, even in the same subjects. Much of the results depend on the situation and the person's own experience and personality toward any given subject.

Not surprising is the finding that people with higher self-esteem are able to use both types of comparison for self-enhancement, while low self-esteem individuals are not as adept at creating good results from negative or downward comparisons. It is also interesting to note that the findings show stress can skew the results even more, and that people with high self-esteem sometimes simply ignore or avoid downward comparisons to help control their positive outcomes. It seems they may filter or distort the results or the comparisons to get the final positive results they desire. This is also extremely interesting, and would seem to be a good candidate for further study. Do people with high self-esteem ignore negative comparisons in order to maintain their levels of self-esteem? The results of a more comprehensive study into this phenomenon would prove to be interesting reading, it seems.

Another interesting finding is the results of threats on downward comparisons. It seems that threat may actually create more downward comparisons in other areas. These comparisons actually add to the threatening feelings, rather than reduce them. In this, the results seem much like that of depression, which has been termed by some to be like a "vicious whirlpool," sucking in everything around it and creating negative results out of almost all experiences. The depressed mind becomes skewed, and sees everything negatively, and it seems that threat can cause the same results.