PSY 2510 Social Psychology: Self-Perception & Social Comparison

Summary

This video explores the concept of social comparison, explaining how we tend to evaluate ourselves in relation to others, especially when uncertain about our abilities. It highlights how social comparisons are often more meaningful when made with those in similar situations, such as classmates or colleagues. The video also discusses the impact of digital platforms like Facebook, where upward social comparisons can lead to negative self-perception and even depression. The key takeaway is that engaging actively on social media rather than passively lurking can help mitigate these effects and promote a more positive self-image.

Takeaways

• 😀 Our self-concept is relative and can change depending on who we compare ourselves with and the social context.
• 😀 Social comparison is more likely to occur when we are uncertain about ourselves or our abilities.
• 😀 People tend to compare themselves with others in their immediate social circles, such as classmates or colleagues, as these are most relevant for self-understanding.
• 😀 Changing the environment or context can shift how we view ourselves (e.g., feeling smarter among family members compared to peers at university).
• 😀 Social media, like Facebook, increases opportunities for social comparison by exposing us to an overwhelming amount of others' positive life moments.
• 😀 Upward social comparisons occur when we compare ourselves to those we perceive as doing better, which can lead to feelings of inadequacy.
• 😀 Downward social comparisons happen when we compare ourselves to others who are worse off, often making us feel better about our situation.
• 😀 Constant exposure to idealized posts on social media can lead to 'Facebook depression,' where individuals feel worse about themselves after seeing others' seemingly perfect lives.
• 😀 Experiments show that people who are exposed to overly positive content on social media are more likely to feel worse about themselves.
• 😀 To combat negative feelings from social comparisons, it's better to actively engage with social media by interacting with others rather than passively lurking.
• 😀 In times of depression or low self-esteem, it's beneficial to reach out and interact with others, which can broaden your social world and alleviate negative emotions.

Q & A

What is social comparison, and why do we engage in it?

Social comparison is the act of evaluating ourselves in relation to others. We engage in it when we feel uncertain about ourselves, our abilities, or our opinions. By comparing ourselves to others, we seek to understand our own strengths and weaknesses.

Who are we most likely to compare ourselves with?

We are most likely to compare ourselves with people who are in similar situations to ours. These people are in our immediate social circles or environments, and their experiences are more diagnostic of our own lives.

How does the situation affect our self-concept?

Our self-concept can change depending on the situation we find ourselves in. For instance, comparing ourselves with fellow university students may make us feel average, while comparing ourselves with family members who haven't attended college may make us feel more accomplished.

What is the difference between upward and downward social comparisons?

Upward social comparisons occur when we compare ourselves to others who seem to be doing better than we are, which can lead to feelings of inadequacy or depression. Downward social comparisons happen when we compare ourselves to others who are worse off, leading us to feel better about ourselves.

How do social media platforms like Facebook influence social comparisons?

Social media platforms, like Facebook, offer many opportunities for upward social comparisons. People typically post positive updates, showcasing their best moments, which can make us feel like others are living better, more exciting lives than our own.

What is 'Facebook depression'?

'Facebook depression' refers to the negative emotions people might experience after viewing others' idealized, positive posts on Facebook. Constant exposure to these curated updates can lead to feelings of sadness or inadequacy.

How does 'lurking' on social media affect us?

Lurking, or passively viewing posts without interacting, can make us feel like we are not living up to the expectations set by others. This can lead to negative feelings, as we are constantly exposed to people's most positive moments without seeing their struggles.

What is the impact of making upward social comparisons on Facebook?

When we make upward social comparisons on Facebook, we often feel worse about ourselves. Studies have shown that when people are exposed to highly positive updates, they are more likely to feel less satisfied with their own lives.

What advice is given to avoid negative effects from social media comparisons?

The advice is to limit passive consumption of social media (lurking) and instead focus on active engagement. By interacting, sharing, and learning more about others' lives, you can broaden your social world and potentially alleviate feelings of depression.

How does the concept of relative self-concept apply to social comparisons?

The concept of relative self-concept suggests that how we see ourselves is not fixed but depends on who we compare ourselves to and the context in which we find ourselves. This means our self-esteem and self-concept can fluctuate based on our social environment.