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Effects of Social Comparisons on Subjective QOL

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The Psychology of Quality of Life

Part of the book series: Social Indicators Research Series ((SINS,volume 50))

Abstract

This chapter describes the effects of social comparisons on subjective well-being. Social comparison is the process by which people compare themselves with others in relation to a particular behavior or outcome. Such comparison may cause feelings of satisfaction or dissatisfaction. Specifically, downward comparisons (comparing one’s situation to another person’s situation that is worse than one’s own) tend to generate feelings of satisfaction, whereas upward comparisons (comparing one’s situation to another person’s situation that is better than one’s own) are associated with dissatisfaction. This is the very simplified version of social comparisons. The psychological reality of social comparisons and their effect on subjective well-being is highly complex. Let us read further.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Marketing Pamplin College of Business, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia, 24061-0236, USA

    M. Joseph Sirgy

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  1. M. Joseph Sirgy
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Sirgy, M.J. (2012). Effects of Social Comparisons on Subjective QOL. In: The Psychology of Quality of Life. Social Indicators Research Series, vol 50. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-4405-9_15

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