Tutorial 7 - Article 3 - Social Comparison on Social Networking Sites

Question 1

What are the 2 key elements in the social comparison process?

Answer 1

1) Selection of comparison target
2) Consequences of comparison

Question 2

What is the selection of comparison target?

Answer 2

Individuals choose to compare themselves to either superior (upward) or inferior (downward) others

Question 3

What are the consequences of comparison?

Answer 3

The outcomes include assimilation and contrast

Question 4

What is assimilation?

Answer 4

The ocmparer’s self-evaluation changing towards the comparion target, becoming more positive after upward comparison and more negative after downward comparison

Question 5

What is contrast?

Answer 5

The comparer’s self-evaluation changing away from the comparison target, becoming more negative after upward comparison and more positive after downward comparison

Question 6

What are the two ways of using SNS?

Answer 6

Active usage and passive usage

Question 7

What is SWB?

Answer 7

Subjective well-being

Question 8

What is the overall impact of social SNS on SWB?

Answer 8

It has a small negative effect (although there are also positives; increasing social network and contacts)

Question 9

How does personality of users relate to social comparison on SNS?

Answer 9

It has an impact on the degree of social comparison. Neuroticism is positively related to upward social comparison and feelings of envy.

Question 10

How can social comparison on SNS improve SWB?

Answer 10

stimulating feelings of inspiration or motivation to self-improve

Question 11

How does social comparison on SNS typically negatively impact SWB?

Answer 11

due to overly positive content on SNS, people’s tendency to select upward comparison targets and to react to these targets in a contrasting manner