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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“Borrowing a theoretical distinction drawn in the social comparison literature between upward and downward comparisons (e.g., Collins, 1996; Taylor, Buunk, & Aspinwall, 1990; Wood, 1989), counterfactuals were classifi ed into those that construct imagined alternatives that are better than reality…”
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“Upward assimilation theory (Collins, 1996) argues that upward comparison can provide useful information and facilitate self-improvement.”
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“People even choose upward comparison in order to achieve self-enhancement (i.e. increased positive self-evaluation) through self-improvement (Collins, 1996).”
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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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