Originally developed in 1954 by psychologist, Leon Festinger, those who compare themselves to others experience harmful feelings like remorse, dissatisfaction and destructive behaviors lying, and poor eating habits.
How does social media play into Social Comparison Theory?
In an interview by DarlingMagazine.org, Dr. Jennifer Lewallen, now Communication Instructor with Fresno City College, shared about her research on the impact social media images have on women – not just negatively.
Dr. Lewallen points out the two types of social comparison, upward or downward.
- Upward social comparison occurs when we compare ourselves to someone, we perceive to be better off than we are.
- Downward social comparison happens when we perceive ourselves to be better than someone else.
The reason I’m such an evangelist for self-mastery, is because I want each and every one of you to understand your potential. There is no ceiling to what you can do with the gifting, and talents you were born with and the skills you have or can master.
Self-mastery helps overcome imposter syndrome, keeping up with the Joneses, and social comparison.
You are uniquely you. And you cannot be compared to anyone.
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