#510: Social Comparison: Evidence on its Impacts & What We Can Do – Shannon Beer
Jan 30, 2024
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Shannon Beer, a psychologist and expert on social comparison theory, discusses the impact of social comparisons on body dissatisfaction and eating disorders. She explores the concept of social comparison, the link between body dissatisfaction and disordered eating, and the importance of self-acceptance and self-compassion. She also talks about her course 'Crushing Comparisons' and the benefits of curiosity and Sigma Nutrition Premium.
Social comparisons can lead to negative self-evaluations and body dissatisfaction, contributing to disordered eating behaviors.
Factors such as high social comparison orientation and low self-esteem can amplify the negative effects of social comparisons on body dissatisfaction.
Practicing self-compassion and challenging biases in social comparisons are effective strategies to mitigate the negative impact of comparisons on body image and eating behaviors.
Deep dives
Impact of Social Comparisons on Body Dissatisfaction
Social comparisons play a significant role in the development and maintenance of body dissatisfaction. Comparing ourselves to others can lead to negative self-evaluations and feelings of inferiority. This can contribute to body image concerns, disordered eating behaviors, and even eating disorders. The impact of social comparisons on body dissatisfaction is not limited to comparing with those who are perceived to be more attractive, as comparisons can reinforce the idea of looking a certain way and feeling dissatisfied with one's own body. It is important to be aware of the negative consequences of frequent social comparisons and to develop strategies to overcome them, such as cultivating self-compassion and body image flexibility.
Factors Influencing the Detrimental Effects of Social Comparisons
Several factors can influence the detrimental effects of social comparisons. High social comparison orientation, low self-esteem, and self-criticism are associated with more frequent and negative comparisons. Body image flexibility, the ability to experience negative thoughts and emotions about one's body and still engage in important actions, can mediate the effects of social comparisons on body dissatisfaction. Cultivating self-compassion is also crucial in mitigating the negative consequences of social comparisons. Self-compassion involves being aware of one's struggles and having a commitment to alleviate and prevent them, providing a supportive and understanding attitude toward oneself.
Addressing Social Comparisons through Self-Awareness and Self-Care
One way to address social comparisons is through self-awareness. Keeping a diary to track comparisons, thoughts, and feelings related to them can increase self-awareness and identify patterns. Self-care is another important aspect, involving activities like soothing rhythm breathing to activate the parasympathetic nervous system and create a nurturing environment for oneself. Additionally, challenging the biases and assumptions in social comparisons can help change perspectives and reduce their impact. Recognizing the unrealistic standards and biased judgments involved in comparisons can promote self-acceptance and decrease the need to rely on comparisons for self-evaluation.
The Role of Compassion and its Misconceptions
Compassion, particularly self-compassion, plays a significant role in counteracting the negative effects of social comparisons. Self-compassion is not about complacency or making excuses, but rather recognizing one's struggles and committing to care for oneself in the face of difficulties. It involves taking action to alleviate suffering and support one's well-being. Self-compassion allows individuals to distinguish between preferences and demands, understanding that goals and desires are not tied to one's self-worth. Cultivating self-compassion requires courage and strength to address one's needs and make choices that support well-being.
Practical Steps in Overcoming Social Comparisons
Overcoming social comparisons involves a three-step process: catching comparisons, caring for oneself, and challenging comparisons. Catching comparisons involves keeping track of comparison tendencies and increasing self-awareness. Caring for oneself includes practicing self-compassion and soothing techniques to manage distressing emotions. Challenging comparisons entails questioning biases and judgments in comparisons, considering alternative perspectives, and recognizing the factors that influence one's self-worth. Curiosity and self-reflection are essential in understanding and changing patterns of social comparisons, ultimately leading to reduced frequency and detrimental effects of comparisons.
Social comparison theory, developed by psychologist Leon Festinger in the 1950s, posits that individuals determine their own social and personal worth based on how they stack up against others. This theory suggests that people engage in social comparisons to evaluate their abilities, opinions, and attributes, often choosing relevant others for comparison.
In the realm of body image and self-perception, social comparison theory becomes particularly pertinent, as individuals tend to assess their own bodies in relation to societal ideals and the bodies of others. This process of comparison can have profound implications for body dissatisfaction and the development of disordered eating patterns.
This raises thought-provoking questions about the impact of social comparison theory on body image and eating behaviors.
In this episode, Shannon Beer explores these questions and offers valuable insights into the complex interplay between societal influences, individual perceptions, and the development of body dissatisfaction and disordered eating.
About The Guest:
Shannon Beer is a registered nutritionist, health and confidence coach and certified Compassionate Mind Training facilitator.
Shannon works with people aiming to improve their health through facilitating lasting behaviour change in their approach to diet, exercise and body image.
She has developed a coaching framework that applies motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral coaching, and acceptance and commitment therapy-aligned processes in a client-centered alliance toward their own values-based goals.
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