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Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, Vol. 8, No. 1, 1989, pp. 14-31
FREDERICK X. GIBBONS MEG GERRARD
Iowa State University
The impact of upward and downward social comparison on the mood states of high
and low self-esteem persons was examined in a simulated support group setting. Subjects received bogus information indicating that a "group member"
was either
(a) facing minor problems adjusting to college and having difficulty coping with
them (downward comparison condition), (b) facing minor problems and adjusting
well (upward comparison), or (c) facing serious problems and coping relatively well with them. Results indicated that the downward comparison information improved
the mood states of the low self-esteem subjects, but had little effect on the high self-
esteem group. The opposite pattern of results was obtained in the upward comparison condition. In addition, both high and low self-esteem persons were encouraged by
the information indicating that another person was coping successfully with rather
severe problems. Results are discussed in terms of implications for social comparison
theory and support groups.
Recognition of the important role that social comparison plays in the
process of coping with victimization and with health problems has resulted
in a recent resurgence of interest in Festinger's (1954) social comparison theory (cf. Taylor, 1983). Taylor, Wood, and Lichtman (1983), for example,
examined social comparison processes that were used by women who
were
trying to cope with breast cancer (cf. also Wood, Taylor, & Lichtman, 1985). This research has assumed a somewhat different approach to the
process of social comparison than that taken originally by Festinger (1954).
He suggested that when people wish to evaluate their own abilities, they typically choose as targets others who are thought to be doing as
well or perhaps somewhat better than they are to facilitate what he
called "upward drive" or upward comparison. This is consistent with what Festinger saw as the primary motive behind social comparison,
which was self-evaluation. However, recent studies have indicated that
The authors would like to thank Thomas Wills and Joanne Wood for their comments the manuscript. Requests for reprints should be sent to F. X. Gibbons, Department of
Psychology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011.
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EFFECTS OF UPWARD AND DOWNWARD
SOCIAL COMPARISON ON MOOD STATES
EFFECTS OF SOCIAL COMPARISON ON...