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Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, Vol. 24, No. 2, 197-205 (2007)
DOI: 10.1177/0265407507075410

Social comparison and satisfaction with one's social life

Abraham P. Buunk

Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences and University of Groningen, a.p.buunk{at}rug.nl

Hinke A. K. Groothof

Open University of the Netherlands

Frans W. Siero

University of Groningen

In this study (N = 96), the role of social comparison in evaluating the quality of one's friendships and social relationships was examined. Participants who were exposed to a comparison target with a very dissatisfying social life evaluated their own social life as better than participants who were exposed to a comparison target with a very satisfying social life. However, this effect was only found among individuals high in the individual characteristic social comparison orientation. It is concluded that only individuals with a dispositional tendency to compare themselves with others will base the evaluation of their social life to an important extent on what they see in others.

Key Words: close relationships • downward comparison • satisfaction • social comparison orientation • social relationships • upward comparison


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