TY - JOUR
AU1 - Wills, Thomas A.
AB - The theory of downward comparison posits that persons experiencing negative affect can enhance their subjective well-being through comparison with a less fortunate other, the process occurring on either a passive or active basis. The present author discusses the basic principle of downward comparison and its corollaries and suggests that these represent the motivational process for phenomena observed in several areas of social psychology. Evidence is considered from studies of the fear-affiliation effect, choice of others for social comparison, scapegoating, projection, aversive environmental events and attraction toward others, social prejudice, hostile aggression, and humor. It is shown that downward comparison principles encompass empirical evidence from these areas, account for nonreplications as well as confirmatory findings, and provide a theoretical basis for the relation among the various phenomena. (111 ref)
TI - Downward comparison principles in social psychology
JF - Psychological Bulletin
DO - 10.1037/0033-2909.90.2.245
DA - 1981-09-01
UR - https://www.deepdyve.com/lp/american-psychological-association/downward-comparison-principles-in-social-psychology-FGvrsnoLiD
SP - 245
EP - 271
VL - 90
IS - 2
DP - DeepDyve
ER -