Upward social comparison

Comparing our abilities and attitudes to someone who is judged as being of a higher social standing, physical attractiveness, or wealth (e.g. She is more successful that I am, He is more fit that I am, etc.)

• Can be positive or negative. Inspiration vs Inferiority.

• Can be motivating, as you will try to attain what the compared person has. Example: a promotion, better grades, a relationship.

• Upward assimilation: you believe that you can achieve the same level of success as someone judged as being better than you.

• Upward Contrast: We judge ourselves as inferior in comparison to other people.

Lateral Social comparison

Comparing our abilities and attitudes to someone who is judged as being equal to our social standing, physical attractiveness, or wealth.

Downward social comparison

Comparing our abilities and attitudes to someone who is judged as being of a lower social standing, physical attractiveness, or wealth. (e.g. I am driving a better car that him, My kids are more successful that theirs, I am much prettier than her, etc.)

• Can boost self-esteem and gratitude as you are thankful or happy that you are not the person in the unfortunate situation.

• Can also teach you how to handle a situation or event so you do not experience the same pain as the person.

• At the same time, it can a spawn a sense of superiority over others.

• It can cause stagnation, as you only compare yourself to other people who may not be striving to achieve a higher purpose.

• Downward Assimilation: when you believe your abilities could be worse.

• Downward Contrast: We judge ourselves as superior in comparison to other people.