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Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, Vol. 19, No. 1, 13-20 (1993)
DOI: 10.1177/0146167293191002
© 1993 Society for Personality and Social Psychology, Inc.

Social Comparison and the Pill: Reactions to Upward and Downward Comparison of Contraceptive Behavior

Theresa J. Reis

Iowa State University

Meg Gerrard

Iowa State University

Frederick X. Gibbons

Iowa State University

It has been assumed that engaging in downward social comparison can improve subjective well-being both by ameliorating negative mood and by improving self-concept. Although a number of studies have demonstrated the effect of downward comparison on mood, there has been little empirical evidence of its effect on self-concept. The results of the current study indicate that downward comparison can increase self-esteem and does so especially for persons with relative low self-esteem. The results also suggest that upward comparison opportunities have different effects on the attitudes of high- and low-self-esteem persons.


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