Got Happiness? Social Comparison Theory Can Help!

Yeah comparison kills you at one point of your life, So it is very important to understand and manage your upward and downward social comparisons. Because it gives you more happiness in life.

Why is it when we see something on Facebook, or online in general, we perceive it as true and not take into consideration toward something we already know? Like, we know that Karen doesn't have a perfect family, they don't eat at the dinner table every night but when we see her picture on Facebook of her family at the dinner table with the caption something like "family time is the best time. #everynight" we think that she has dinner with her family at the dinner table every night and then start to think that our family's aren't good enough because we don't eat at the dinner table every night.

This was a good article. It is amazing how so many people put the best of their lives on social media for all to see but never the bad side of things. Also, it is sad that we find pleasure or satisfaction from those that are going through a rough time just because we see that not everyone's life is perfect.

It is really unhealthy how much we tend to compare ourselves to each other. Indeed, social comparison seems to affect our level of happiness and is it even worse nowadays with the constant presence of social media (facebook, instagram, snapchat...)

As a young adult in the generation of technology, this article is something I find very helpful. With media, we have made it to where it is easy to manipulate photos, making our lives seem much less flawed than they really are as well as more exciting. In the reality shows, however, it is hard for me to make downward comparisons still because even in their bad moments it still seems very played out and set up. Controlled chaos, if you will. It is human nature to compare ourselves to others and this will never go away. I find that the most useful tool in being happy is to work on yourself every day and always keep in mind that things are not always what they seem. As long as you are happy with your reflection, you will look at the upward comparisons with less of a negative attitude because you are enough for yourself. Easier said than done, but we are so connected it is impossible to stay away from these comparisons, so we must learn the coping mechanisms instead of total avoidance.

In my online class we are discussing Social Comparison. In chapter eight titled Group Influences, social comparison is defined as - evaluating one's opinions and abilities by comparing oneself with others. We are persuaded by people in reference groups.

I liked how this article included social media being a prime source of where we do our social comparison. I know I compare myself to others off of social media and it can be a bit intimidating and unhealthy.

I like how you included that there are both "upwards" and "downwards" comparisons. There are times when social comparison can be enlightening, or that someone will realize that the quality of their life is significant. However, I do tend to agree that, overall, comparing yourself to others in society has a mostly negative impact on ones self-esteem.