Social Comparison

By Maddie LeVake

What is social comparison?

As social beings, humans are readily prepared with the ability to compare as a tool for survival. It is an instinctual cue when presented with something different. That tool of comparison has formulated into a new instinct however, with the introduction of social media; the other tool that allows us to immediately find any information needed, to identify someone, to compare to someone.

Introduced to this new medium of social media, our social instinct takes over, actively
comparing our reality to the ‘reality’ of those around us. That is how social comparison theory has mutated into a different idea with the influence of social media. With the theory compromising how we base our social and personal value on the comparison of those around us, social media allows us to compare on a much larger scale. It is a fixation that can be immediately satisfied and constantly fed because of the accessibility to social media.

The Importance of Social Comparison and College Students

The current generation of college students today, at a majority, are classified as Gen Z. A generation that grew up with the duality of a time before the iPhone and the growing technological boom. Presented with this new reality of social media, most of us were introduced to Instagram, Snapchat, Youtube, etc. in middle school, when we were 11-13. Those formative years that we did not realize were being manipulated into a new phenomena, is where we see this introduction of social comparison formulating one’s entire identity. This new instinct is now introduced to impressionable minds that will continuously, unconsciously, impulsively compare. Now, in college, in an environment with competitive academics and social pressures, students are basing their personal and social value on the likes of those around them. This leads to negative effects like an increase in negative self talk and depression, a decrease in overall well-being, creates poor body image, and can influence disordered eating. While the influence of social media can be positive as well, from positive feedback by peers on posts, it is severely influencing the development of one’s identity. This is dangerous for us as students because we must understand before leaving this environment that our value as humans does not compare or is ever based on the value of those around you.

Be Aware of when you might be Socially Comparing

One of the main ways researches found to minimize social comparison is by of course minimizing your time on social media, but there are other ways to be aware of these behaviors. These are some of the practices presented by the JED foundation and I included some of my own as well.

Be aware of your triggers: Take notice of which posts or accounts do not make you feel positive or increase your feelings of negative self-talk, consider unfollowing or removing those accounts.

Remember, it is not real: Social media is a curation of individuals’ best moments, those are the picture perfect highlights they want to share with the world. Therefore, you cannot base who you are on the inside off of what they present on the outside.

Practice Gratitude: Focus on the
positives in your life, focus on what you have and express admiration for that. This can minimize that comparison instinct and refocuses your mind on you.

Practice Mindfulness: Oftentimes, social media can overwhelm us and it clutters our minds. By taking the time to limit your time on those apps and taking a moment to recenter your body and mind can regulate your well-being. Whether that is by doing
some meditation, yoga, or other exercise, we want to reconnect our body and mind to be balanced with one another, that is when we feel the most centered. Those who compare often ruminate as well, this leads to even more negative self-talk and if we practice mindfulness, we can identify that rumination sooner and redirect the comparison.

Images:
Image 1: Understanding Social Comparison on Social Media
Image2: How Do You Compare?