Downward Social Comparison

Downward Social Comparison

Reviewed by Faisal Zaidi

Comparison with a target judged to be doing worse.

What it is

Gerber, Wheeler and Suls pooled more than 60 years of research in two meta-analyses. When people were given a choice of comparison target, they showed a strong preference for downward targets, except under threat, when upward choices increased.

In effect

In the article on why we compare ourselves to others, it is one of the directions comparison takes when people choose freely.

What it does not say

It describes which targets people choose. It does not say that downward comparison always improves how people feel.

Sources

  1. Gerber, J. P., Wheeler, L., & Suls, J. (2018). A social comparison theory meta-analysis 60+ years on. Psychological Bulletin, 144(2), 177-197.