Leon Festinger's Social Comparison Theory, with quotes from Cicero and Rousseau
Leon Festinger's social comparison theory (1954) explains why we measure ourselves against others. Cicero and Rousseau already saw the conflict. Read on to understand the mechanism.
English · Original discussion in Spanish · Published
Social comparison is the process by which we evaluate our abilities, opinions and achievements by measuring ourselves against other people. Leon Festinger formulated it in 1954 and distinguished three directions: upward, downward and lateral.
## What social comparison is according to Festinger
Social comparison is that mental mechanism by which we evaluate our abilities, opinions and personal worth by placing ourselves next to others. No mirror is needed: we look at ourselves in our neighbour. The psychologist **Leon Festinger** formulated it formally in **1954** with his Social Comparison Theory. His starting point was that human beings have an innate need for self-evaluation, and that this need kicks in especially in moments of uncertainty, when we have no objective standard to know whether we are doing well or badly.
## Upward, downward and lateral comparison
Psychology distinguishes three directions. Upward comparison happens when you measure yourself against someone you perceive as superior in success, beauty, wealth or skills. It can motivate and inspire you, but it often generates feelings of inferiority, frustration or low self-esteem if the goal seems out of reach. Downward comparison is the opposite: you compare yourself with someone who is worse off or has fewer abilities. It usually raises self-esteem temporarily or brings relief, though it does not foster genuine growth. Lateral comparison is made with equals, with those who share similar circumstances or skills, and serves to seek empathy, belonging or to validate opinions.
## Cicero, Rousseau and the tension of living in community
The underlying idea did not begin with Festinger. **Cicero** wrote that we were born to unite with our fellow men and to live in community with the human race. **Rousseau**, on the other hand, left an uncomfortable quote: of all animals, man is the one least able to live in a herd; if he were penned up like sheep he would perish in a short time, and man's breath is fatal to his fellows. The two quotes coexist without contradiction: the need for others unites us, and living with those who are different bothers us. That tension is the same one that fuels social comparison.
## Why other people's showcase hurts
The practical result is that comparing ourselves with others can serve to guide us or to bring us down, depending on whom and how we measure ourselves. The same tool that validates an opinion in a group can turn any difference into a judgement of our own worth. It is worth remembering that comparison is a psychological process, not a diagnosis: if the feeling of inferiority becomes persistent, the sensible thing is to consult a mental health professional.
## What social comparison is according to Festinger
Social comparison is that mental mechanism by which we evaluate our abilities, opinions and personal worth by placing ourselves next to others. No mirror is needed: we look at ourselves in our neighbour. The psychologist **Leon Festinger** formulated it formally in **1954** with his Social Comparison Theory. His starting point was that human beings have an innate need for self-evaluation, and that this need kicks in especially in moments of uncertainty, when we have no objective standard to know whether we are doing well or badly.
## Upward, downward and lateral comparison
Psychology distinguishes three directions. Upward comparison happens when you measure yourself against someone you perceive as superior in success, beauty, wealth or skills. It can motivate and inspire you, but it often generates feelings of inferiority, frustration or low self-esteem if the goal seems out of reach. Downward comparison is the opposite: you compare yourself with someone who is worse off or has fewer abilities. It usually raises self-esteem temporarily or brings relief, though it does not foster genuine growth. Lateral comparison is made with equals, with those who share similar circumstances or skills, and serves to seek empathy, belonging or to validate opinions.
## Cicero, Rousseau and the tension of living in community
The underlying idea did not begin with Festinger. **Cicero** wrote that we were born to unite with our fellow men and to live in community with the human race. **Rousseau**, on the other hand, left an uncomfortable quote: of all animals, man is the one least able to live in a herd; if he were penned up like sheep he would perish in a short time, and man's breath is fatal to his fellows. The two quotes coexist without contradiction: the need for others unites us, and living with those who are different bothers us. That tension is the same one that fuels social comparison.
## Why other people's showcase hurts
The practical result is that comparing ourselves with others can serve to guide us or to bring us down, depending on whom and how we measure ourselves. The same tool that validates an opinion in a group can turn any difference into a judgement of our own worth. It is worth remembering that comparison is a psychological process, not a diagnosis: if the feeling of inferiority becomes persistent, the sensible thing is to consult a mental health professional.
Summary of a discussion on Burbuja.info - Foro de economía, actualidad y política., translated from Spanish and reviewed before publication. Read the full discussion (9 replies).
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