Similarity and Self-Esteem in Downward Comparison

Abstract

The theory of social comparison was originated by Leon Festinger in a series of papers published in 1954 (Festinger, 1954a, 1954b). Since that time it has been a continuing influence in social psychology. The ideas proposed by Festinger were nurtured in seminars at Minnesota (see Goe- thals, 1986) and studied directly in paradigms that included affiliation preferences (Schächter, 1959) and social comparison choices (Wheeler, 1966). The basis for the theory was consolidated in an issue edited by Latane (1966), which led to additional studies on comparison choices (e.g., Brick- man & Berman, 1971; Gruder, 1971; Wheeler et al., 1969; Wilson & Benner, 1971). The potential of social comparison theory was further realized by Suis and Miller (1977), including attention to the theory of related attributes (Goethals & Darley, 1977) and the costs of social comparison (Brickman & Bulman, 1977). Research has extended this body of theory (Feldman & Ruble, 1981; Gastorf & Suis, 1978; Wheeler, Koestner, & Driver, 1982). In these and other areas, work on social comparison has continued to advance our understanding of how persons use social information for conceptualizing the self and arriving at perceptions of their own adjustment.

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