Social comparative emotions are elicited when there is a reflection and comparison of one’s personal attributes with an individual or group of others who may pose a threat to the self. Social comparative emotions are evoked when there appears to be large a discrepancy between the self and another, in domains that are important and
Social comparison is a process in which self-appraisals are formed and involves evaluating one’s skills, attributes, belongings, and so forth compared with those of others. Social Comparison Theory Social comparison theory, proposed by Leon Festinger in 1954, states that individuals have an innate drive to maintain stable and accurate appraisals of themselves and do so
Identity exists along a spectrum that ranges from the personal to the social. The personal end of this spectrum is constituted by the distinctive combination of attributes that an individual deems relevant to his or her self-concept (e.g., being shy or tall). The social end of this spectrum, in contrast, is constituted by the extent
Social marketing employs commercial marketing strategies to try to solve social problems and to effect voluntary behavior change. An important aspect of social marketing is message framing, which is the tone or valence in which the information related to the behavior is conveyed. This entry discusses social marketing and message framing in the context of
Exercise scientist William P. Morgan often contrasted how exercise physiologists and exercise psychologists study the exercising human. The physiologists were seen as unconcerned with what happened above the neck, choosing instead to focus only on physiological processes that changed during and after exercise and making the erroneous assumption that affect, cognitions, and perceptions were unimportant
Researchers have been studying the measurement properties, correlates, and outcomes of social physique anxiety (SPA) for more than two decades. With roots in social anxiety, self-presentation, and body image affect, SPA is defined as the anxiety that an individual experiences when he or she perceives that others could be negatively evaluating his or her physique.
Social processing effects are grounded within individuals’ assessments and interpretations of social contextual information. Because sport and exercise psychology (SEP) is the scientific study of how people and their behaviors affect and are affected by the environmental contexts in which they operate, social processing effects can best be viewed through a social–psychological lens. The social
This article explores the complex interplay between social comparison and body image within the realm of health psychology. Beginning with a nuanced exploration of social comparison theory, the narrative progresses to elucidate the theoretical frameworks surrounding body image, incorporating perspectives such as sociocultural, cognitive-behavioral, and social learning. The article systematically unravels the impact of social
This article explores the complex relationship between social comparison and weight management within the realm of health psychology. Beginning with an elucidation of social comparison in the context of weight management, the article delves into historical perspectives, providing a foundation for understanding its evolution. Theoretical frameworks, such as Festinger’s Social Comparison Theory, and the nuances
This article explores the complex relationship between social comparison and healthcare decision-making within the framework of health psychology. Beginning with an overview of social comparison theory, the discussion delves into its theoretical underpinnings, encompassing upward and downward social comparison, as well as the identification of reference groups in healthcare contexts. The exploration unfolds further by