Understanding Social Comparison in Psychology

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Questions and Answers

What does self-esteem primarily reflect?

A person's overall sense of self-worth (correct)

A person's level of intelligence

A person's social popularity

A person's overall ability to succeed

According to Carl Rogers, what is necessary for self-actualization?

Maintaining social popularity

Developing higher intelligence

Achieving a state of congruence (correct)

Maximizing personal success

How does the social comparison process help individuals?

By evaluating oneself based on others (correct)

By assisting with self-deception

By assessing past achievements against expectations

By focusing solely on personal strengths

What is a key characteristic of a person's ideal self?

It often differs from actual experiences Signup and view all the answers

Which motivation describes the desire to improve one's self-image?

Self-enhancement Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of downward social comparison?

Evaluating oneself against those perceived as inferior Signup and view all the answers

In social comparison theory, what role does the past play in temporal comparison?

It provides a benchmark for present evaluation Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best defines reference group influence?

Judging yourself based on a specific group Signup and view all the answers

What is the main focus of upward social comparison?

Desiring to improve one’s current level of ability Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes a highly motivated person regarding social comparison?

They tend to assume themselves equal to or better than the best individuals. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of engaging in downward social comparison?

To feel better about oneself by comparing to others who are worse off. Signup and view all the answers

Who is likely to engage in downward social comparison?

A person who is unhappy or unmotivated. Signup and view all the answers

How do cultural perspectives influence self-evaluation processes?

They dictate whether individuals favor individualism or collectivism in comparison. Signup and view all the answers

What is a likely result of frequent upward social comparisons?

Enhanced ambition and desire to improve. Signup and view all the answers

Which factor generally influences the choice of reference group in social comparisons?

The perceived superiority or inferiority of others. Signup and view all the answers

What is the psychology behind an individual preferring upward comparisons?

They believe it will help them achieve their personal goals. Signup and view all the answers

What is passive downward comparison?

Considering one's current state while comparing to a worse-off individual Signup and view all the answers

How does self-evaluation differ from self-enhancement?

Self-evaluation looks for positive traits, while self-enhancement focuses on improvement. Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of a reference group?

To define norms and standards for self-evaluation Signup and view all the answers

What typically characterizes active downward comparison?

Harming others to create a favorable comparison Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes self-enhancement?

Determining aspects to improve for better alignment with a positive reference Signup and view all the answers

Which of these scenarios illustrates downward social comparison?

A student compares their grades with a classmate who has failed Signup and view all the answers

What role does motivation play in self-evaluation?

It drives the search for positive traits through comparisons. Signup and view all the answers

Why might someone engage in active downward comparison?

To improve their self-esteem by diminishing others Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Upward social comparison involves comparing oneself with individuals perceived as better, often motivating improvement.
Motivated individuals typically engage in upward comparisons, aiming to see themselves as equal or better than the highest standard.
Downward social comparison entails comparing with those who are worse off, which can enhance self-esteem and feelings of competence.

Passive downward comparison: Reflects on preceding conditions; for instance, a low-performing student compares with a worse-performing peer.
Active downward comparison: Involves derogating others to elevate one’s own status, making oneself feel superior by diminishing the target's worth.

Self-Evaluation and Self-Enhancement

Self-evaluation seeks to identify positive traits by assessing oneself against the best comparisons.
Self-enhancement is about recognizing personal improvement areas to reach a level comparable to the individual one admires.

Reference Group

A reference group serves as a benchmark for individuals evaluating their behaviors and self-perception.
Sociological definitions frame it as any group utilized for self-assessment.

Self-Esteem

Describes an individual’s overall self-worth and value, reflecting personal appreciation.
Regarded as a stable personality trait, self-esteem tends to remain constant over time.

Real and Ideal Self (Carl Rogers)

An individual’s ideal self may conflict with real-life experiences, creating a disparity between aspirations and reality.
Carl Rogers posits that achieving self-actualization requires maintaining congruence between one’s real and ideal self.

Temporal comparison evaluates one's current state against past selves, assessing growth or change over time.
Social comparison involves measuring oneself against others, utilizing peers as standards for self-evaluation.

Involves assessing one's attributes and performances relative to others, influencing self-perceptions and motivations.

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Description

This quiz explores the concept of social comparison and its implications on self-perception. It examines how motivation influences whether individuals engage in upward or downward comparisons. Gain insights into the psychological effects and significance of these comparison modes.