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Frederick X. Gibbons - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Effects of upward and Downward social Comparison information on the efficacy of an appearance-based sun protection intervention: a randomized, controlled experiment
Journal of behavioral medicine, 2010Co-Authors: Heike I. M. Mahler, Meg Gerrard, James A. Kulik, Frederick X. GibbonsAbstract:This experiment examined the impact of adding upward and/or Downward social Comparison information on the efficacy of an appearance-based sun protection intervention (UV photos and photoaging information). Southern California college students (N = 126) were randomly assigned to one of four conditions: control, intervention, intervention plus upward social Comparison, intervention plus Downward social Comparison. The results demonstrated that all those who received the basic UV photo/photoaging intervention reported greater perceived susceptibility to photoaging (d = .74), less favorable tanning cognitions (d = .44), and greater intentions to sun protect (d = 1.32) relative to controls. Of more interest, while the basic intervention increased sun protective behavior during the subsequent 5 weeks relative to controls (d = .44), the addition of Downward Comparison information completely negated this benefit. Upward Comparison information produced sun protection levels that were only slightly (and nonsignificantly) greater than in the basic intervention condition and, as such, does not appear to be a cost-effective addition. Possible mechanisms that may have reduced the benefits of upward Comparison information and contributed to the undermining effects of Downward Comparison information are discussed.
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social Comparison the end of a theory and the emergence of a field
Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 2007Co-Authors: Abraham P Buunk, Frederick X. GibbonsAbstract:The past and current states of research on social Comparison are reviewed with regard to a series of major theoretical developments that have occurred in the past 5 decades. These are, in chronological order: (1) classic social Comparison theory, (2) fear-affiliation theory, (3) Downward Comparison theory, (4) social Comparison as social cognition, and (5) individual differences in social Comparison. In addition, we discuss a number of expansions of research on social Comparison as they are currently occurring, and we outline what we see as likely and desirable future directions, including an expansion of areas, methods, and conceptualizations, as well as a stronger focus on cognitive, neuroscientific, and evolutionary aspects of social Comparison.
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Comparison level preferences after performance is Downward Comparison theory still useful
Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 2002Co-Authors: Frederick X. Gibbons, Meg Gerrard, David J Lane, Monica Reisbergan, Carrie L Lautrup, Nancy A Pexa, Hart BlantonAbstract:Although often credited with prompting a paradigm shift in social Comparison theory, T. A. Wills's (1981) Downward Comparison (DC) theory has received some criticism recently. In particular, several recent studies have failed to find support for T. A. Wills's (1981) contention that threat and accompanying negative affect lead to a desire for DC. These apparent failures have led some investigators to question basic principles of the theory. To resolve this controversy, 5 studies were conducted examining preferred Comparison level (PCL) after performance; 4 of the studies also assessed change in this preference. Results supported DC theory, but with modifications. Specifically, individuals who performed poorly lowered their PCLs. Under some circumstances, this "Downward shift" included an increased interest in "true" DC--comparing with worse-off others. A reconciliation of these results with those of previous studies is offered.
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social Comparison and the pill reactions to upward and Downward Comparison of contraceptive behavior
Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 1993Co-Authors: Theresa J Reis, Meg Gerrard, Frederick X. GibbonsAbstract:It has been assumed that engaging in Downward social Comparison can improve subjective well-being both by ameliorating negative mood and by improving self-concept. Although a number of studies have demonstrated the effect of Downward Comparison on mood, there has been little empirical evidence of its effect on self-concept. The results of the current study indicate that Downward Comparison can increase self-esteem and does so especially for persons with relative low self-esteem. The results also suggest that upward Comparison opportunities have different effects on the attitudes of high- and low-self-esteem persons.
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Self-esteem, similarity, and reactions to active versus passive Downward Comparison
Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 1991Co-Authors: Frederick X. Gibbons, Sue Boney MccoyAbstract:We tested the hypothesis that both high and low self-esteem persons engage in Downward social Comparison, but do so in different ways
Frans Willem Winkel - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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dissociation focused victim support and coping with traumatic memory an empirical search for evidence sustaining the effectiveness of Downward Comparison
2015Co-Authors: Frans Willem Winkel, Francien Wisman, Vander BoechorststraatAbstract:Kurt Lewin Institute, Department of Social Psychology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Van der Boechorststraat 1, 1081 BT Amsterdam tDepartment of Clinical Psychology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Vander Boechorststraat 1, 1081 BT Amsterdam ABSTRACT Some victims are highly susceptible to develop traumatic memories. A basic model of traumatic memory and its theoretical implications for coping assistance offered by victim support is outlined. The main focus of victim support from this perspective is to initiate and facilitate a process of dissociation, of disengaging episodic and negative affective memory. Downward Comparison based intervention-a subtype of techniques of cognitive restructuring and psychological distancing-is suggested here as a potential facilitative vehicle. Various basic hypotheses underlying this potential were tested empirically, utilising data from the VU A -longitudinal study on criminal victimization. Analyses suggested that Downward Comparisons were associated with more successful adjustment, that they are vital in controlling fear responses, and that these processes are linked with relatively lower levels of reported trauma symptoms, such as anxiety, agoraphobia, depression, and somatic complaints. Downward Comparison based interventions thus in principle appear to constitute effective, quality enhancing components of victim support. The actual impact of such interventions should be examined in more detail in future studies. COPING WITH TRAUMATIC MEMORY: A SUPPORT PERSPECTIVE
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Dissociation-focused Victim Support and Coping with Traumatic Memory: an Empirical Search for Evidence Sustaining the Effectiveness of Downward Comparison Based Interventions
International Review of Victimology, 1999Co-Authors: Frans Willem Winkel, Eric Blaauw, Francien WismanAbstract:Some victims are highly susceptible to develop traumatic memories. A basic model of traumatic memory and its theoretical implications for coping assistance offered by victim support is outlined. The main focus of victim support from this perspective is to initiate and facilitate a process of dissociation, of disengaging episodic and negative affective memory. Downward Comparison based intervention — a subtype of techniques of cognitive restructuring and psychological distancing — is suggested here as a potential facilitative vehicle. Various basic hypotheses underlying this potential were tested empirically, utilising data from the VUA-longitudinal study on criminal victimization. Analyses suggested that Downward Comparisons were associated with more successful adjustment, that they are vital in controlling fear responses, and that these processes are linked with relatively lower levels of reported trauma symptoms, such as anxiety, agoraphobia, depression, and somatic complaints. Downward Comparison based...
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fear of crime and criminal victimization testing a theory of psychological incapacitation of the stressor based on Downward Comparison processes
British Journal of Criminology, 1998Co-Authors: Frans Willem WinkelAbstract:The empirical evidence supporting a fear-criminal victimization relationship is relatively weak and mixed. A fear-victimiza tion model is developed which accommodates these seemingly inconsistent previous findings. The model suggests that fear responses are cognitively mediated. In particular, subjective victimization risk (SVR) and perceived negative impact associated with a victimization (NI) are postulated as cognitive products emanating from active adaptational processes elicited by the experience. The non-emergence of enhanced fear is hypothesized to result from compensation. This notion suggests that victimization tends to elicit upward tendencies in SVR (victims tend to report higher levels of SVR than non-victims), and Downward tendencies in NI (victims tend to report lower NI levels than controls). As upward and Downward tendencies are theoretically expected to cancel each other out fear of crime is not affected by victimization. Our findings clearly confirm these expectancies. Some implications for victim support are discussed. Inter alia, upward assessments (e.g. NI after > NI before victimization) in NI among victims are suggested as a cue for referral to victim support. Fear and Victimization: Theoretical Aspects In psychological analyses of emotions the cognitive paradigm is broadly adhered to (Frijda 1988). It assumes that emotions are produced by the person's interpretation of a psychologically significant situation (Berkowitz 1993). Cognitive theory highlights the importance of thoughts, interpretations, appraisals or judgments in generating the emotional experience. Such a cognitive focus is also dearly visible in the various explanatory theories of fear of crime (Hale 1996; Killias 1990; Warr 1987). The major part of Hale's review of the fear of crime literature is devoted to an examination of different theoretical explanations of fear of crime. He argues that 'any model trying to explain fear will include some notion of vulnerability' (Hale 1996: 95). Models of emotional vulnerability traditionally distinguish, at least, two dimensions of vulnerability, namely perceptions of personal risk (and/or risk to significant others), and perceptions of the seriousness of the consequences emanating from that risk. Both dimensions also emerge in Winkel's (1981) two-factor model of fear of crime, in which fear as an emotional response and fear-related cognitions represent two sides of the • Achmea Foundation Project, Vrije Universiieit Amsterdam. This study forms part of the Quality of Victim Assistance Research and Training Development Project, which is being conducted in collaboration with the Netherlands Victim Support, and has been subsidized by the Achmea Foundation 'Victim and Society' (Stichting Achmea Stachtoffer en Samenleving). I am indebted to Dr Adriaan Denkers for his assistance in data analyses; to Dr Monique Rerusen, Dr Francien Wisman, and DrTamar Wohlfarth (who are part of the Achmea team) and the two anonymous reviewers of this journal for their comments on previous drafts of this ankle.
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Testing a Theory of Psychological Incapacitation of the 'Stressor' Based on Downward Comparison Processes
1998Co-Authors: Frans Willem WinkelAbstract:The empirical evidence supporting a fear-criminal victimization relationship is relatively weak and mixed. A fear-victimization model is developed which accommodates these seemingly inconsistent previous findings. The model suggests thatfear responses are cognitively mediated. In particular, subjective victimization risk (SVR) and perceived negative impact associated with a victimization (NI) are postulated as cognitive products emanating from active adaptational processes elicited by the experience. The non-emergence of enhanced fear is hypothesized to result from compensation. This notion suggests that victimization tends to elicit upward tendencies in SVR (victims tend to report higher levels of SVR than non-victims), and Downward tendencies in NI (victims tend to report lower NI levels than controls). As upward and Downward tendencies are theoretically expected to cancel each other out fear of crime is not affected by victimization. Our findings clearly confirm these expectancies. Some implications for victim support are discussed. Inter alia, upward assessments (e.g. NI after > NI before victimization) in NI among victims are suggested as a cue for referral to victim support.
Jens Moller - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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testing the dimensional Comparison theory when do students prefer dimensional Comparisons to social and temporal Comparisons
Social Psychology of Education, 2018Co-Authors: Fabian Wolff, Friederike Helm, Jens MollerAbstract:Students compare their achievement in a subject with their classmates’ achievements (social Comparison), their own prior achievements (temporal Comparison), and their achievements in other subjects (dimensional Comparison), which can each be better (upward Comparison), equal (lateral Comparison), or worse (Downward Comparison). Prior research has investigated the impact of different Comparison motivations on the prevalence of social and temporal Comparisons, but no study has examined the same for dimensional Comparisons yet. The present study closes this gap: A total of 605 German high school students were presented with four situations, in which a fictitious student receives the same objective feedback for an exam in a certain subject, but is motivated either to evaluate, to enhance, to improve, or to differentiate himself. For each Comparison motivation, the participants judged how likely the fictitious student was to draw dimensional, social, and temporal upward, lateral, and Downward Comparisons. As a central result, dimensional Comparisons in all directions had the highest prevalences under the self-differentiation motivation. In contrast, the prevalences of dimensional Comparisons were relatively low under the other three motivations. This finding complements the recently developed dimensional Comparison theory. For the first time, we could empirically show that dimensional Comparisons primarily serve self-differentiation motivations.
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the big three of comparative judgment on the effects of social temporal and dimensional Comparisons on academic self concept
Social Psychology of Education, 2017Co-Authors: Hanno Mullerkalthoff, Friederike Helm, Jens MollerAbstract:Students evaluate their domain-specific abilities by comparing their own achievement in one domain to that of others (social Comparison), to their own previous achievement (temporal Comparison), as well as their own achievement in another domain (dimensional Comparison). The theories underlying these three Comparison processes each assume an upward Comparison with a better-off standard to lead to lower self-concept and a Downward Comparison with a worse-off standard to result in higher self-concept, instead. However, there is a lack of studies investigating the joint effects of simultaneously activated social, temporal, and dimensional Comparisons. To close this gap, two experimental studies and one field study were conducted. In Studies 1 (N = 80) and 2 (N = 80), participants were asked to infer the mathematical self-concept of fictitious students after receiving experimentally manipulated social, temporal, and dimensional information about the fictitious students’ achievement in mathematics. In Study 3 (N = 225), participants were asked to report their own mathematical self-concept after rating their mathematical achievement in Comparison to social, temporal, and dimensional standards. In all three studies, similar main effects for each of the three Comparisons were found leading to lower self-concept following upward Comparisons and higher self-concept following Downward Comparisons. Effect sizes differed, though, indicating social Comparisons to have the largest effect, whereas the effects of temporal and dimensional Comparisons were small to medium sized. No interaction effects were found. The findings therefore indicate that all three Comparison processes are independent and have additive effects on academic self-concept.
Chunliang Feng - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Social Comparison in the brain: A coordinate-based meta-analysis of functional brain imaging studies on the Downward and upward Comparisons
Human brain mapping, 2017Co-Authors: Yi Luo, Simon B. Eickhoff, Sébastien Hétu, Chunliang FengAbstract:Social Comparison is ubiquitous across human societies with dramatic influence on people's well-being and decision making. Downward Comparison (comparing to worse-off others) and upward Comparison (comparing to better-off others) constitute two types of social Comparisons that produce different neuropsychological consequences. Based on studies exploring neural signatures associated with Downward and upward Comparisons, the current study utilized a coordinate-based meta-analysis to provide a refinement of understanding about the underlying neural architecture of social Comparison. We identified consistent involvement of the ventral striatum and ventromedial prefrontal cortex in Downward Comparison and consistent involvement of the anterior insula and dorsal anterior cingulate cortex in upward Comparison. These findings fit well with the "common-currency" hypothesis that neural representations of social gain or loss resemble those for non-social reward or loss processing. Accordingly, we discussed our findings in the framework of general reinforcement learning (RL) hypothesis, arguing how social gain/loss induced by social Comparisons could be encoded by the brain as a domain-general signal (i.e., prediction errors) serving to adjust people's decisions in social settings. Although the RL account may serve as a heuristic framework for the future research, other plausible accounts on the neuropsychological mechanism of social Comparison were also acknowledged. Hum Brain Mapp 39:440-458, 2018. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Francien Wisman - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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dissociation focused victim support and coping with traumatic memory an empirical search for evidence sustaining the effectiveness of Downward Comparison
2015Co-Authors: Frans Willem Winkel, Francien Wisman, Vander BoechorststraatAbstract:Kurt Lewin Institute, Department of Social Psychology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Van der Boechorststraat 1, 1081 BT Amsterdam tDepartment of Clinical Psychology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Vander Boechorststraat 1, 1081 BT Amsterdam ABSTRACT Some victims are highly susceptible to develop traumatic memories. A basic model of traumatic memory and its theoretical implications for coping assistance offered by victim support is outlined. The main focus of victim support from this perspective is to initiate and facilitate a process of dissociation, of disengaging episodic and negative affective memory. Downward Comparison based intervention-a subtype of techniques of cognitive restructuring and psychological distancing-is suggested here as a potential facilitative vehicle. Various basic hypotheses underlying this potential were tested empirically, utilising data from the VU A -longitudinal study on criminal victimization. Analyses suggested that Downward Comparisons were associated with more successful adjustment, that they are vital in controlling fear responses, and that these processes are linked with relatively lower levels of reported trauma symptoms, such as anxiety, agoraphobia, depression, and somatic complaints. Downward Comparison based interventions thus in principle appear to constitute effective, quality enhancing components of victim support. The actual impact of such interventions should be examined in more detail in future studies. COPING WITH TRAUMATIC MEMORY: A SUPPORT PERSPECTIVE
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Dissociation-focused Victim Support and Coping with Traumatic Memory: an Empirical Search for Evidence Sustaining the Effectiveness of Downward Comparison Based Interventions
International Review of Victimology, 1999Co-Authors: Frans Willem Winkel, Eric Blaauw, Francien WismanAbstract:Some victims are highly susceptible to develop traumatic memories. A basic model of traumatic memory and its theoretical implications for coping assistance offered by victim support is outlined. The main focus of victim support from this perspective is to initiate and facilitate a process of dissociation, of disengaging episodic and negative affective memory. Downward Comparison based intervention — a subtype of techniques of cognitive restructuring and psychological distancing — is suggested here as a potential facilitative vehicle. Various basic hypotheses underlying this potential were tested empirically, utilising data from the VUA-longitudinal study on criminal victimization. Analyses suggested that Downward Comparisons were associated with more successful adjustment, that they are vital in controlling fear responses, and that these processes are linked with relatively lower levels of reported trauma symptoms, such as anxiety, agoraphobia, depression, and somatic complaints. Downward Comparison based...