“It Was All Very Toxic”: An Initial Exploration into Dancers’ Experiences of Social Comparison in UK Dance Schools

Abstract

ABSTRACT Social comparison and links to motivation, performance, and engagement are well documented across domains. However, research remains limited within dance schools, where training with peers is part of everyday life. To explore how social comparison is experienced in school, we interviewed ten dancers (aged 18–23) from vocational and non-vocational levels. Thematic analysis identified an overarching dimension of “cut-throat” dance culture, which was underpinned by three higher and twelve lower order themes. Participants primarily engaged in lateral comparison, where they compared themselves against individuals who were of similar ages and levels. Experience of social comparison was driven by a dynamic interaction between teacher, environment, and the dancer. Ego-focused motivation styles were suggested to enhance social comparison, especially when combined with support from teachers and the training environment. Results can increase the understanding and awareness of social comparison in dancers and support teachers to provide improved training environments.