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Social comparison can influence selfperception and self-esteem from "summary" of Social Psychology by John R. Eiser,J. Richard Eiser
Social comparison is a fundamental process in human behavior that involves evaluating our own thoughts, feelings, abilities, and behaviors in relation to those of others. When we engage in social comparison, we typically look to others who are similar to us in some way, such as age, gender, or background, in order to make judgments about ourselves. This comparison can have a significant impact on our self-perception and self-esteem. One way in which social comparison influences self-perception is through the process of upward and downward comparison. Upward comparison occurs when we compare ourselves to others who are better off than we are in a particular domain, such as intelligence or attractiveness. This can lead to feelings of inadequacy and lower self-esteem, as we perceive ourselves as falling short in comparison to others. Conversely, downward comparison involves comparing ourselves to others who are worse off than we are in a particular domain. This can boost our self-esteem by highlighting our own strengths and positive qualities in comparison to others. For example, if we compare ourselves to someone who is struggling with a particular task that we excel at, we may feel a sense of pride and accomplishment. Furthermore, social comparison can also influence our self-perception through the process of identification and contrast. When we identify with someone who is similar to us and possesses qualities that we admire, we may incorporate those qualities into our self-concept, leading to a more positive self-perception. On the other hand, when we contrast ourselves with someone who is dissimilar to us and possesses qualities that we lack, we may feel a sense of inadequacy and lower self-esteem.- Social comparison plays a crucial role in shaping our self-perception and self-esteem by providing us with valuable information about where we stand in relation to others. By being mindful of the ways in which we engage in social comparison and actively working to foster positive comparisons, we can enhance our self-perception and cultivate a healthier sense of self-esteem.
