title: Comparison-level preferences after performance: is downward comparison theory still useful?
abstract: Although often credited with prompting a paradigm shift in social comparison theory, T. A. Wills's (1981) downward comparison (DC) theory has received some criticism recently. In particular, several recent studies have failed to find support for T. A. Wills's (1981) contention that threat and accompanying negative affect lead to a desire for DC. These apparent failures have led some investigators to question basic principles of the theory. To resolve this controversy, 5 studies were conducted examining preferred comparison level (PCL) after performance; 4 of the studies also assessed change in this preference. Results supported DC theory, but with modifications. Specifically, individuals who performed poorly lowered their PCLs. Under some circumstances, this "downward shift" included an increased interest in "true" DC--comparing with worse-off others. A reconciliation of these results with those of previous studies is offered.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Iowa State University, Ames 50011, USA. fgibbons@iastate.edu
authors.forename: Frederick X
authors.initials: FX
authors.lastname: Gibbons
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Lane
authors.forename: Meg
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gerrard
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Reis-Bergan
authors.forename: Carrie L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Lautrap
authors.forename: Nancy A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Pexa
authors.forename: Hart
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Blanton
mesh_terms: D000124:Achievement; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000339:Affect; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D004521:Educational Measurement; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D011582:Psychological Theory; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012649:Self Concept; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000523:psychology; D012919:Social Behavior; D014481:United States