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Trevor Miyagishima

Countering Social Comparison

Have you ever looked at someone and wondered why they seem smarter or more athletic than you? That is an instance of social comparison. Social comparison is the act of evaluating another person’s attributes and skills in relation to your own. This practice can be detrimental to your mental health and self-esteem as you can feel inferior when another person seems to surpass you. We, as humans, have a drive to succeed in school, work, athletics, and other activities, so you feel dejected when someone else is further advanced since it will seem as though you are not successful. This leads to discontention with who you are as a person which can progress, when intense enough, to suicidal and self-harming thoughts. Inversely, social comparison can elevate confidence to the level of arrogant and derisive behavior toward others. Putting others down can make it feel as though you are rising in success by juxtaposition. Regardless of the direct influence of social comparison, the ensuing impact is negative in terms of mannerisms and thoughts. 


In addition, social comparison can be the result of consumerism and advertisements. Consumerism is the theory that your contentment is dependent on the purchase of goods and material possession of both needs and wants. This can result in comparison between the amount and quality of goods people own which can subsequently influence your happiness. There is always going to be something that you want that you will not have, so comparison will therefore lead to unfulfillment. Advertisements contribute to consumerism through idyllic and pristine takes on reality in order to promote a product. Houses are larger and spotless with plush furniture, food is more tender and ripe, people have smoother skin and sculpted bodies, cars are furtherly vibrant and futuristic, etc. in contrast to real life. Trying to compete with these unrealistic standards is impossible as imperfection is part of nature. For instance, mutations such as albinism occur naturally. In fact, anywhere from 1 in 20,000 to 1 in 1,000,000 animals have albinism. Comparison results in chasing a futile fantasy and disappointment in not being who you want to be.


There are many ways to limit the potentially damaging effects of social comparison. First, curb the amount of time you spend on the internet. The internet exposes you to many other people as well as consumerism through the flaunting of feats and products. This setting invites you to compare yourself to others, and with so many exceptional people in the world it can make you seem insignificant. Second, remember that no person can be perfect as mistakes happen naturally. Believing someone else is perfect and then comparing yourself to them sets an impossibly high bar to reach. Third, compare yourself with a positive attitude since everyone has the ability to learn and grow. If someone else can accomplish something skill-based then there is no reason that you cannot as well. Finally, think about your own goals and your sense of fulfillment with your life. Another person’s accomplishments do not directly affect or prevent you from achieving your dreams.


In summary, social comparison is when you analyze the disparities between yourself and others. It can also be the result of consumerism. This can lead to unreasonable standards and feelings of worthlessness for not reaching them. Ways to thwart the negative consequences of comparison include lessening the time spent on the internet, acknowledging that mistakes are part of being human, accepting that you can develop and improve, and thinking about how to accomplish your own goals regardless of others. Theodore Roosevelt once succinctly summarized social comparison in a famous statement: “Comparison is the thief of joy.”

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