Social Comparison and Its Effects

The more we feed our insecurities by comparing ourselves to others, the bigger it gets. It can also lead to a level of unhealthy competition between ourselves and others that can actually sabotage potentially really positive and collaborative relationships. When social comparison occurs, often our worth becomes centered and determined on how we perceive others - this is an instance of upward social comparison. Upward social comparison can also motivate us towards self-improvement when we meet people who are better than us.