Social Comparison
The Social Comparison information handout explores a common cognitive distortion whereby individuals compare themselves with others, negatively impacting their mood and mental health.
Social Comparison
Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) suggests that our thoughts influence how we feel and how we act. However, some of our thoughts can be biased. Recognizing these ‘cognitive distortions’ or ‘unhelpful thinking styles’ can help you judge how accurate and useful your automatic thoughts are. This tool will introduce you to a common distortion called social comparison.
Overview
Social comparison is a normal, often automatic process where individuals evaluate themselves against others. While upward comparisons can lead to self-improvement motivations, they can also highlight perceived flaws, leading to distress. This resource describes the evolutionary and theoretical aspects of social comparison, illustrating how such comparisons, when biased, contribute to psychological issues.
Designed as part of the cognitive distortions series, it helps clients notice and address unhelpful, automatic social comparisons.
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