Social comparison bias is the tendency to feel dislike or competitiveness toward a person perceived as physically, socially or mentally superior, a pattern closely related to the broader social comparison theory that people evaluate their own worth by comparing themselves with others. The psychologist Leon Festinger introduced social comparison theory in 1954, and researchers consider social comparison central to factors such as achievement motivation, perceptions of injustice, depression, jealousy and even a person's willingness to remain in a relationship or a job. The bias itself centers mainly on wealth and social status, tends to occur unconsciously, and typically involves comparison with members of a person's own peer group or with others perceived as similar to them.
Facts
Core ClaimSocial comparison bias is the tendency to feel dislike or competitiveness toward someone perceived as physically, socially or mentally superior, a pattern closely related to the broader social comparison theory that people evaluate their own worth by comparing themselves to others. 1 Partially Attested
First Described YearYear marks Festinger's foundational social comparison theory (1954); the bias's later hiring-context framing is not separately dated in the article. Classification
Type of PhenomenonSocial or Interpersonal Phenomenon 1 Connections
Sources
1. Wikipedia: Social comparison bias
Wikimedia Foundationlead section
Social comparison bias refers to the tendency to feel dislike or competitiveness toward someone who is perceived as physically, socially, or mentally superior.
- Theoretical background, Festinger (1954)
lead section, phenomenon-kind classification
Social comparison bias refers to the tendency to feel dislike or competitiveness toward someone who is perceived as physically, socially, or mentally superior.
View the Source Reader Challenges (0)
No disputes yet. Spotted an error or a better source? Open the first one.
Sign in to dispute this or suggest a correction.