To compare or not to compare?
As they evaluate their skills and progress, they compare their performance to other students in the class.
There are two kinds of social comparisonupward social comparison and downward social comparison.
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We might compare ourselves to someone better off and look for ways that we can achieve similar results.
We might not be great at something, but at least we are better off than someone else.
When you compare yourself to your friends, you might feel that you are physically fit.
So, you sign up for a marathon believing that you’re free to finish with no problem.
Impact of Social Comparison
Comparing ourselves to others can be both beneficial and harmful.
The difference lies in the types of comparisons being made, or whether they are upward or downward.
This is an example of upward social comparison.
In comparison to them, your performance is not nearly as skilled.
At first, you may feel discouraged by the gap between your ability levels.
But you might also realize that you could eventually achieve a similar skill level with a little practice.
In this case, the upward social comparison maymake you more motivatedto improve upon your abilities.
In comparison, your performance is much better.
This is an example of downward social comparison.
In this case, observing your friends poor skills can make you feel better about your own abilities.
