The Bittersweet Taste of Success: Daily and Recalled Experiences of Being an Upward Social Comparison Target

Abstract

Outperforming others can provide psychological benefits but may also result in interpersonal costs. Two studies examined reactions to being an upward comparison (UC) target. Study 1 used event-contingent diaries and found that undergraduates’ concerns for the outperformed person's response corresponded to lower positive affect and higher negative affect. Study 2 recruited participants via the Internet to recall particularly important instances of being a UC target. Results revealed that concerns about the other's response were linked to negative reactions, whereas perceiving the outperformed person as upset was linked to positive reactions (when concerns about the outperformed person's response were statistically controlled). Additional analyses suggested trait social anxiety as a potential moderator. Although outperforming others may feel good, the good feelings may diminish when people are concerned about the outperformed person's response.