CHILD DEVELOPMENT PEDAGOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -In downward social comparisons, we compare ourselves to other people who are worse off. This is a common experience, and we’ve all had the experience of reassuring ourselves of our behavior by comparing ourselves with someone else.

Detailed explanation-2: -Social comparison is a form of sociological self-esteem, where we derive our sense of self through comparing ourselves with others (Festinger, 1954). Festinger argued people have a tendency to make downward social comparisons with those who are worse off or less skilled than them, and this can raise their self-esteem.

Detailed explanation-3: -Downward social comparison is a defensive tendency that is used as a means of self-evaluation. When a person looks to another individual or group that they consider to be worse off than themselves in order to feel better about their self or personal situation, they are making a downward social comparison.

Detailed explanation-4: -In contrast, downward social comparisons involve comparing oneself to someone else perceived as “lesser” or “worse”. For example, this could look like reading a post about someone moving to a new house or apartment and thinking “my house is so much larger/more attractive/more expensive etc. than their house is”.

Detailed explanation-5: -Downward Comparison In comparison, your performance is much better. This is an example of downward social comparison. In this case, observing your friend’s poor skills actually makes you feel even better about your own abilities.