Cited by 1,166Emotions and Moral BehaviorPersonality Traits and PsychologySocial and Intergroup Psychology

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For better or worse: The impact of upward social comparison on self-evaluations

Collins, Rebecca L.·1996·Psychological Bulletin

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Abstract

Upward social comparison is generally regarded as ego deflating, yet people often compare themselves with those whose abilities and attributes are better than their own. Upward comparison provides useful information, which may partially account for this behavior. Furthermore, it is proposed that upw

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“Managers are particularly inclined toward making upward social comparisons, or comparisons to groups that are, in some way, superior to their own (Collins 1996; Lockwood and Kunda 1997).”
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“1990; Buunk and Ybema 1997; Lockwood and Kunda 1997) or feel similar to their target (Collins 1996; Mussweiler 2003).1 Our study aims at better understanding the relationship between social comparison and self-evaluation of academic competence among students by considering the moderating role of…”
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“, 1995) or social comparison targets (Collins, 1996) with an eye towards personal improvement.”
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Authors: Collins, R. L.
Affiliations: RAND Corporation (US)
Corresponding author: Collins, Rebecca L.
ORCID: Collins, Rebecca L.
Venue: Psychological Bulletin
Publisher: American Psychological Association (APA)
Published: 1996-01
Volume: 119
Issue: 1
Pages: 51-69
ISSN: 0033-2909 (ISSN-L)
1939-1455
DOI: 10.1037/0033-2909.119.1.51
OpenAlex: W2165368401
Cited by: 1,166
References: 93
Citations by year: 2026: 53 · 2025: 61 · 2024: 59 · 2023: 95 · 2022: 74 · 2021: 65 · 2020: 68 · 2019: 51 · 2018: 52 · 2017: 50 · 2016: 46 · 2015: 37 · 2014: 38 · 2013: 25 · 2012: 28
FWCI: 20.20
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Locations: Psychological Bulletin (publishedVersion)
Topics: Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Emotions and Moral Behavior
Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Personality Traits and Psychology
Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Social and Intergroup Psychology
Keywords: upward social comparison, self-assessment, self-concept, social comparison theory

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For better or worse: The impact of upward social comparison on self-evaluations

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