A social comparison theory meta-analysis 60+ years on
Gerber, Wheeler and Suls, Psychological Bulletin 144(2), 2018, 177-197. Two meta-analyses of more than 60 years of social comparison research. Target selection: a strong preference for downward targets when both directions were offered, except under threat when upward choices increased; choices were less differentiated when lateral targets were available. Reactions: contrast effects dominated, strongest for ability estimates, also found for novel personal attributes and affect; dissimilarity priming produced contrast, similarity priming weak assimilation; studies with control groups showed mostly contrastive effects of similar size for upward and downward targets.
Gerber, Wheeler and Suls, Psychological Bulletin 144(2), 2018, 177-197. Two meta-analyses of more than 60 years of social comparison research. Target selection: a strong preference for downward targets when both directions were offered, except under threat when upward choices increased; choices were less differentiated when lateral targets were available. Reactions: contrast effects dominated, strongest for ability estimates, also found for novel personal attributes and affect; dissimilarity priming produced contrast, similarity priming weak assimilation; studies with control groups showed mostly contrastive effects of similar size for upward and downward targets.
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Gerber, J. P., Wheeler, L., & Suls, J. (2018). A social comparison theory meta-analysis 60+ years on. Psychological Bulletin, 144(2), 177-197. doi:10.1037/bul0000127 https://doi.org/10.1037/bul0000127