Effects Of Social Comparison Research Articles

Comparison effects on self- and external ratings: Testing the generalizability of the 2I/E model to parents and teachers of academic track school students

BackgroundAccording to the 2I/E model, social, dimensional, and temporal comparisons represent key determinants of students' academic self-concepts. However, it is unclear to what extent these assumptions also apply to external ratings of students’ self-concepts and abilities provided by central socializers. AimsThis study aimed to examine the extent of generalizability of the 2I/E model to different parent and teacher ratings simultaneously for the first time. SampleParticipants were 545 ninth-grade students from academic track schools in Germany, their parents, math teachers, and German teachers. MethodsWe investigated the joint effects of social, dimensional, and temporal comparisons on student self-concepts, parent and teacher ratings of student self-concepts, and parent and teacher ratings of student abilities in math and German using structural equation modeling. ResultsOur results strongly support the assumptions of the 2I/E model for student self-concepts, as we found strong social, moderate dimensional, and small temporal comparison effects in both domains. For parent ratings of student self-concepts and abilities, we found strong social and—except for parent German ability ratings—moderate to small dimensional comparison effects. For teacher ratings of student self-concepts and abilities, results showed only strong social comparison effects in both domains. Temporal comparison effects were not found for either parents or teachers. ConclusionsGiven the lack of temporal comparison effects on parent and teacher ratings, this study's findings question the generalizability of the 2I/E model to external ratings. However, they point to interesting discrepancies regarding social and dimensional comparison effects on parent and teacher ratings.

Effects of social comparison, self-esteem and affect on problematic instagram use: a mediation model

Effects of social comparison, self-esteem and affect on problematic instagram use: a mediation model

"Support the strong" or "Help the weak?": The effects of social comparison and social distance on cooperative behavior in the dictator game.

Within an object-interdependent context, we conducted three experiments to investigate the influence of social comparisons on cooperative behavior, as well as to assess the mediating and moderating effects of related variables. In Experiment 1 (n = 207), we examined whether social comparisons impact cooperative behavior toward a comparator in a dictator game task. Here, we specifically focused on the mediating effects of evaluation of others' competence, along with three other potential mediators: self-competence evaluation, positive emotions, and negative emotions. Following the insights gained from Experiment 1, we proceeded to Experiments 2 (n = 279) and 3 (n = 298) to further explore whether social distance moderates the mediating effect of evaluation of others' competence. The results of all three experiments consistently indicated that upward (vs. non-) comparison facilitated cooperative behavior, whereas downward (vs. non-) comparison hindered it. Furthermore, our findings revealed that evaluation of others' competence served as a mediator between social comparison and cooperative behavior when the comparator (i.e., the cooperative partner) was perceived as being at a far-distance, whereas the mediating effect of evaluation of others' competence disappeared when social distance was close. These results reveal the pivotal role of evaluating others' competence and social distance in social interactions from the perspective of social comparison, which provides insights into how to promote cooperative behavior.

Effects of perceived academic stress on sleep quality among Chinese college students: mediating effects of social comparison, bedtime procrastination, and the protective role of emotion regulation

Effects of perceived academic stress on sleep quality among Chinese college students: mediating effects of social comparison, bedtime procrastination, and the protective role of emotion regulation

The influence of upward social comparison on status consumption in clothing, eating, living, and travelling: The mediating effects of perceived self‐improvement and perceived superiority

AbstractCompensatory consumption theory posits that individuals tend to engage in status consumption as a response to experiencing upward social comparison. However, it is unclear whether upward social comparison can influence status consumption in four lifestyle domains: clothing, eating, living, and travelling. Therefore, we conducted two separate studies with a sample of Chinese consumers. In Study 1, we investigated the effects of upward social comparison on status consumption in four domains by comparing participants with a specific individual. In Study 2, we examined the effects of upward social comparison on status consumption in four domains by comparing participants with a group. Additionally, Study 2 examined the mediating role of perceived self‐improvement and perceived superiority. The results revealed that participants exhibited higher purchase intentions and preferences for status products and services in four consumption domains when exposed to upward social comparison. Furthermore, the results also indicated that perceived self‐improvement and perceived superiority mediated the positive effects of status consumption in four domains under upward social comparison. These findings contribute to the broader applicability of compensatory consumption theory.

Influence of social networking site use on body image disturbances among young women in China

Young adult women in China are at high risk of body image disturbances and are among the most frequent users of social networking sites (SNS). We investigated the association between SNS use and body image disturbances in this group, as well as the mediating effect of upward social comparison. We recruited 511 women to complete questionnaires on SNS use, upward social comparison, and body dissatisfaction. Results indicated that SNS use was significantly and positively associated with upward social comparison and body dissatisfaction among young women in China, and upward social comparison mediated this association. Findings from the current study provide new evidence for the tripartite influence model of body image and indicate that SNS use is a risk factor for body image disturbances.

From Clicks to Calm: Investigating the Link Between Mindfulness and Digital Hoarding Behavior Among Chinese Youth.

Digital hoarding refers to the continuous acquisition of digital content and the difficulty in disposing of it. This behavior is increasingly common among today's youth. This study aims to explore the impact of mindfulness on digital hoarding behavior, investigating self-control as a mediator and upward social comparison via social media as a moderator. A total of 956 young individuals participated in this cross-sectional study. The research instruments used included the Mindfulness Measure, the Self-Control Scale, the Social Comparison Scale, and the Digital Hoarding Behavior Questionnaire. Data analysis included descriptive statistics and correlation analysis. For more complex analyses, we examined the mediating role of self-control and the moderating effects of upward social comparison via social media in the relationship between mindfulness and digital hoarding behavior. 1) Mindfulness significantly negatively predicted digital hoarding. 2) Self-control mediated the relationship between mindfulness and digital hoarding. 3) Upward social comparison via social media moderated the relationship between mindfulness and self-control, specifically the first segment of the mediation pathway. This research is pioneering in exploring mindfulness as a protective factor against digital hoarding, offering fresh insights into this nascent field. The findings also suggest prevention and intervention strategies for digital information management disorder in young people.

The Effect of Self-concept Clarity on Parenting Anxiety of Parents with Infants and Children: Mediating effect of Materialism and Social comparison

The Effect of Self-concept Clarity on Parenting Anxiety of Parents with Infants and Children: Mediating effect of Materialism and Social comparison

Social and dimensional comparisons of achievement in multifaceted task value formation among adolescents

Students routinely compare their achievement across different subjects (dimensional comparison) and against that of their peers (social comparison). Yet, it is unclear how these comparison processes influence their task values (intrinsic, attainment, utility, cost) and the observed gender differences in these values. Utilizing structural equation models, we tested the associations between Grade 7 achievement (in Finnish and math) and Grade 8 task values among 1325 Finnish students (Mage at Grade 7 = 12.8 years, 52 % girls). We observed positive social comparison (within-domain) effects on all value facets, and partial negative dimensional comparison (cross-domain) effects: higher Finnish achievement was associated with lower intrinsic value and higher cost in math. Despite outperforming boys in Finnish and math, girls reported lower intrinsic value and higher cost in math – effects not explained by achievement comparisons. These results imply that task values development may rely on comparisons of other factors beyond individual achievement.

Who posts the advertisement: The influence of advertising authorship on in‐feed advertising effectiveness

AbstractAdvertisers typically publish in‐feed ads with two types of authorship: brand or influencer, yet little is known about the effectiveness of in‐feed ads between these two authors. In this study, we investigated the interactions and mechanisms of ad authorship (brand vs. influencer) and brand type (luxury vs. mass) on advertising effectiveness, and tested the moderating effect of upward social comparison based on the stereotype content model. A pilot study, by coding the secondary data from Most Liked WeChat Moment Ads, found that a greater proportion of luxury (vs. mass) brands were authored by brands (vs. influencers). Study 1 used eye tracking technique to identify the interactive effect of ad authorship and brand type on visual attention. Study 2 further identified perceived competence and warmth as mediators. Study 3 verified the moderating effect of upward social comparison on the above effects. This paper contributes to the theoretical literature on in‐feed advertising by showing the interactive effect of advertising authorship and brand types on advertising effectiveness. It also offers valuable insights for luxury or mass brands on strategically leveraging the brand itself or influencer for advertising.

Children Sustain Cooperation in a Threshold Public-Goods Game Even When Seeing Others’ Outcomes

Many societal challenges are threshold dilemmas requiring people to cooperate to reach a threshold before group benefits can be reaped. Yet receiving feedback about others’ outcomes relative to one’s own (relative feedback) can undermine cooperation by focusing group members’ attention on outperforming each other. We investigated the impact of relative feedback compared to individual feedback (only seeing one’s own outcome) on cooperation in children from Germany and India (6- to 10-year-olds, N = 240). Using a threshold public-goods game with real water as a resource, we show that, although feedback had an effect, most groups sustained cooperation at high levels in both feedback conditions until the end of the game. Analyses of children’s communication (14,374 codable utterances) revealed more references to social comparisons and more verbal efforts to coordinate in the relative-feedback condition. Thresholds can mitigate the most adverse effects of social comparisons by focusing attention on a common goal.

“I See Super-Rich (Versus Poor) People, Therefore I Spend”: Effects of Social Comparison and Donation Mode on Egoistic Spending versus Altruistic Giving

ABSTRACT Digital platforms present consumers with contrasting visual narratives, from images of opulence to depictions of poverty. This study delves into the strategic implications of such dichotomous exposures, anchored in Social Comparison Theory. Three experiments (∑ N = 1665) investigated how portrayals of affluence and deprivation influence audience behaviors, specifically egoistic luxury spending versus altruistic charitable giving. Experiment 1a employed a 2 (exposure to photos of poverty versus affluence) x 2 (luxury spending versus charitable giving scenario as the within-subjects factor) mixed factorial design. Experiment 1b employed a 2 (poverty versus affluence) x 2 (luxury spending versus charitable giving) between-subjects factorial design. Experiment 2 employed a 3 (poverty versus affluence versus neutral photos) x 2 (anonymized versus publicized donation) between-subjects factorial design to further examine the interaction effects of social comparison direction and donation mode. Empirical findings highlight that downward social comparison (exposure to poverty) can amplify charitable inclinations, while upward comparison (exposure to affluence) can enhance conspicuous consumption. Individual difference factors such as materialism, need for status, social comparison orientation, and greed play pivotal roles in moderating these effects. This research contributes to the understanding of digital portrayal influences on consumers’ spending behavior, offering both theoretical insights and practical implications for strategic communication.

High- and low-social-anxiety individuals process the outcomes of ability comparisons differently: an event-related potential study.

Individuals engage in upward or downward comparisons with superiors or inferiors, respectively. Social comparison is associated with social anxiety. Utilizing event-related potentials, we investigated how individuals with high social anxiety (HSA) and low social anxiety (LSA) evaluate self- versus other-outcomes in upward and downward comparison contexts. We found significant valence effects of self- or other-outcomes on feedback-related negativity (FRN) and P300 for both groups, with loss inducing larger FRN and smaller P300 than gain. In the early stage, the valence effect of other-outcomes was significant when LSA participants gained money, but not when they lost money, revealing a social comparison effect on FRN. Conversely, this valence effect was significant whether HSA participants gained or lost money. At the late stage, the valence effect of other-outcomes was significant when HSA or LSA participants gained money but not when they lost, revealing social comparison effects on the P300. Notably, only the social comparison effect in the LSA group was further moderated by comparison direction. These findings suggest that LSA participants engaged in social comparison throughout all evaluation stages, whereas HSA participants started at the late stage. Moreover, LSA participants were more sensitive to different comparison directions in the late stage.

Effect of Body Image and Social Comparison towards Life Satisfaction in Adolescents with Acne Vulgaris

Life satisfaction levels are known to be lower in people with acne vulgaris than in those who do not have this dermatological disease. This research looked at whether there was an effect between body image and social comparison on life satisfaction in adolescents with acne vulgaris. This study uses a correlational quantitative method with Satisfcation with Life Scale (SWLS), Multidimensional Body Self Relations Questionnaire – Appearrance Scales (MBSRQ-AS), and Iowa-Netherlands Comparison Orientation Scale as research instruments. The subjects of this study are adolescents with acne vulgaris as many as 352 people. Sampling was carried out by purposive sampling. This study uses multiple linear regression analysis. The results of the analysis revealed that body image affects life satisfaction and social comparison also affects life satisfaction. The two independent variables were also proven to jointly affect life satisfaction with a percentage of 39.2%.

성인 초기의 죽음에 대한 태도와 주관적 안녕감의 관계에서 물질주의와 사회비교의 순차 매개효과

Objectives The purpose of this study was to examine the mediating effect of materialism and social comparison in the relationship between attitude toward death and subjective well-being among people in their early adulthood. Methods The survey data were collected for 285 adults and analyzed using SPSS 24.0 and Process Macro 3.5, encompassing descriptive statistical analysis, correlation analysis, individual mediation effects, and sequential mediation effects. Results It was observed that death attitude, subjective well-being, materialism, and social comparison were all significantly correlated with each other. Materialism and social comparison variables sequentially mediated the relationship between death attitude and subjective well-being. This indicates that materialism and social comparison sequentially mediated the relationship between death attitude and subjective well-being. Conclusions The attitude of accepting death as a part of life lowered materialism and social comparison, thereby improving subjective well-being, whereas the attitude of fearing death increased materialism and social comparison, thereby undermining subjective well-being

Social media’s sway: how social comparison on social media stimulates impulse travelling; serial mediation study on Indian millennials tourists

PurposeThe study explores the impact of social media-induced social comparison on impulse travelling, drawing upon social comparison theory. It thoroughly examines the intermediary functions of fear of missing out (FoMO) and compulsive use of social media, alongside exploring the moderating impacts of self-esteem and self-control within this dynamic process.Design/methodology/approachTo meet the objective, we conducted a survey of 382 social media users among Indian millennial tourists. The analysis has been done using SPSS (AMOS 24) and Process macro (model 1) for moderation effect. Purposive and snowball sampling techniques have been employed for data collection.FindingsThe results indicate a positive influence of social comparison on impulsive travel. Additionally, the findings suggest that FoMO and the compulsive use of social media serve as serial mediations on the link between social comparison and impulse travelling. Moreover, self-esteem has shown a negatively significant relationship between social comparison and FoMO. Furthermore, self-control has also been found to have a negatively significant effect on the relationship between FoMO and the compulsive use of social media.Practical implicationsThe study’s findings offer valuable guidance for destination administrators. It suggests that administrators should refrain from engaging in aggressive and overly tailored marketing tactics. Instead, they should focus on sharing real and authentic stories that resonate with travellers, and administrators can mitigate the effects of social comparison and discourage impulsive travelling.Originality/valueThis study delves into an unexplored realm in digital marketing literature, shedding light on how social comparison on social media influences the impulsive travelling of Indian millennial tourists. This study is an inaugural attempt to formulate a theoretical framework within the scope of the tourism sector.

The distinct affect regulation functions of body image flexibility and inflexibility: A prospective study in adolescents and emerging adults

Body image flexibility and inflexibility are alternative ways of responding to body image threats. Affect regulation offers a framework for understanding how these responses impact health outcomes; however, research in young people is limited. This prospective study tested two potential affect regulation functions in adolescents and emerging adults (N = 351, 66.7% female) via online surveys completed five months apart. Specifically, body image flexibility and inflexibility were tested as (a) direct predictors of adaptive (body appreciation, intuitive eating) and maladaptive (muscle-building strategies, disordered eating) outcomes, and (b) moderators of the indirect effect of a social comparison threat via body appreciation. Results from hierarchical linear and conditional process models showed that body image flexibility and inflexibility served distinct affect regulation functions. Whereas body image inflexibility directly predicted adaptive and maladaptive body- and eating-related outcomes, body image flexibility protected against the negative effects of social comparison on intuitive eating via body appreciation. Findings suggest that adolescents and emerging adults could benefit from learning body image flexibility skills and reducing inflexibility to promote positive body image and prevent body- and eating-related disturbances. Future research should investigate how body image flexibility and inflexibility relate to other established threats and outcomes in diverse demographic groups.

Pengaruh Social Comparison Terhadap Fear of Missing Out Pada Mahasiswa di Universitas Negeri Padang

This research aims to determine the effect of social comparison on the fear of missing out among students at Padang State University. This research uses quantitative methods with a correlational quantitative design. The data collection technique uses cluster sampling. The data collection technique uses a questionnaire with a Likert scale model which is distributed with the help of the Google Form feature. The sample for this research was 188 respondents. The research instrument used Kurniawan & Utami's (2022) fear of missing out scale which was adapted from (Sette et al., 2020), as well as a social comparison scale based on aspects of Buunk et al., (2003). The results of the research used simple linear regression analysis and the results showed that social comparison had a positive and significant effect on fear of missing out in students at Padang State University.

Analyzing group polarization through text emotion measurement and time series prediction: A comparative study across three online platforms

This study investigated the emotional trends of users on social platforms, considering the event of “the Changsha girl jumping off the Lalamove truck” as a case study. It examined the effects of recommendation algorithms and group social comparison attributes on group emotions across three platforms: Zhihu, Weibo, and Bilibili. Through text mining and emotion analysis algorithms, group reviews were analyzed, and an event-based ARIMA robustness detection model was constructed using time series data. Utilizing the theoretical framework of the social comparison process, the study discovered that the “information database” formed by the recommendation algorithms of social platforms fosters the emergence of emotional group polarization among users. Furthermore, the findings revealed that the audience's social comparison attributes play a role in shaping emotional group polarization. High knowledge attributes tend to inhibit emotional group polarization, while low knowledge attributes tend to promote it. Machine learning algorithms were employed to measure user sentiment in social media platform comments, revealing insights into the causes of group polarization through a comparison of social comparison attributes and algorithm techniques. Future studies must focus on measuring technical information entropy.

Exploring the Successful Factors of Brand Collaborations Between KFC and Genshin Impact: A Case Study Analysis

In a post-pandemic era marked by a decline in consumer purchasing power, particularly in the restaurant industry, this paper delves into the successful collaboration between the international fast-food chain KFC and the popular open-world role-playing game, Genshin Impact. This collaboration, which occurred in 2021, generated extensive buzz and recognition on social media platforms. By analyzing this case, we explore the effective marketing strategies and communication methods that led to the success of this co-branding venture. The study uncovers the significance of cross-domain collaborations, emphasizes the impact of consumer groups, and delves into the role of social media and the fan effect in marketing strategies. It also sheds light on the social comparison effect, pivotal in influencing players' motivations and purchasing behavior. Furthermore, it examines KFC's hunger marketing approach and the integration of fast-food industry characteristics. The paper concludes with suggestions for addressing supply chain management, resource optimization, and service quality in co-branding campaigns. Despite these valuable insights, the study acknowledges certain limitations and points towards future research directions.