Social comparison

/ˈsoʊ.ʃəl kəmˈpæɹ.ɪ.sən/ noun

Definition

The process of evaluating one's own abilities, opinions, and status by comparing them to those of other people.

Etymology

From Latin 'socialis' (allied) + 'comparatio' (a comparing). Comparing oneself to others. Theory by Leon Festinger (1954).

Kelly Says

Social comparison is measuring yourself against others — upward comparison can motivate or depress you, downward comparison can comfort or make you smug.

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